| For a lot of people, summertime may mean | | | | In the majority of cases, heat stress may be |
| sunny, comfortable days ideal for long walks, | | | | prevented, or at least, reducing the risk of |
| picnics, and beaches. However, for some | | | | developing heat stress. An effective heat |
| people it may mean working outside on | | | | stress management provides assistance on how |
| projects under the heat of the sun, with no | | | | to recognize heat stress and prevent them. |
| proper cooling systems. Hot working | | | | Here are some simple ways of proper heat |
| conditions may pose particular hazards to | | | | stress management to prevent heat stress: |
| health and safety that is why it is important | | | | |
| to be guided of the various injuries and | | | | Clothing |
| illnesses linked with heat stress, and the | | | | |
| proper heat stress management. | | | | Wear lightweight, loose-fitting clothing that |
| | | | permits sweat to evaporate light colored |
| There are four environmental factors that | | | | clothing absorbs lesser heat than dark |
| affect the extent of stress that a worker may | | | | colors. If working outdoors, wearing a |
| face under a hot working area: humidity, | | | | lightweight cap with good brim, will keep off |
| temperature, wind speed, and radiant heat | | | | the sun from the face and head. |
| like that coming from a furnace or the sun. | | | | |
| People who have high blood pressure and those | | | | Drinking |
| who take a diuretics (water pills) are likely | | | | |
| to be more responsive to heat exposure. | | | | Drinking a lot of fluids, particularly when |
| | | | the color of one's urine is dark yellow, will |
| The body protects itself from heat by three | | | | replace the lost body fluids from sweating |
| mechanisms: sweating, altering the flow of | | | | one quart every hour might be necessary. |
| blood, and breathing. The body's first | | | | Sports drink or water is suggested; avoid |
| response is circulating blood to the skin, | | | | beverages like iced tea, coffee, and cola as |
| increasing skin temperature and allowing it | | | | caffeine is a diuretic that makes one urinate |
| to give off some heat. In heavy work, one's | | | | more. |
| muscles require more blood flow thus reducing | | | | |
| the amount of blood available for the skin to | | | | Work schedule |
| release heat. | | | | |
| | | | If possible, schedule heavy work during |
| Sweating is another way that helps one's body | | | | cooler times of the day. If not, rotate |
| to cool off; however, only when levels of | | | | heavy work in heat with lighter work in areas |
| humidity are low enough to permit sweat to | | | | that are cooler. Minimizing the hours spent |
| evaporate, as well as if salts and water lost | | | | in extreme heat when doing heavy work will |
| through sweating is replaced. If the body | | | | lessen the possibilities of heat stress. |
| overheats, heat stress condition occurs, and | | | | |
| can lead to several problems including heat | | | | Heat stress management if effectively |
| cramps, heat rash, heat exhaustion, fainting, | | | | practiced reduces, prevents, or eliminates |
| or heat stroke. | | | | the harmful effects of heat stroke. |
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