Don’t Let the Heat Get You Down
In 2013, 16,320 U.S. workers had a heat-related illness that caused them to miss work. Heat can build up in the worker’s body and cause symptoms that range from headaches and dizziness to seizures, convulsions and death. (See “Heat-Related Illnesses” in the box below)
When we think of work-related heat illnesses, working outdoors in the heat of the summer immediately comes to mind. Construction workers, maintenance staff, gardeners, and police officers are all exposed to hot conditions outdoors.
Hot conditions can also occur indoors. Boilers, steam pipes, ovens, heated tanks, and other such items can produce hot environments. Power plants, heat-treating operations, welding shops, plating shops. and steam tunnels, such as the one depicted in the photograph, are examples of indoor hot environments.
A hot environment and physical exertion can combine to increase the body’s core temperature. A person working hard produces more heat than a worker whose pace is less intense. Another condition that can increase the body’s core temperature is radiant heat from direct sunlight or from nearby hot objects such as steam pipes, ovens, etc.
In general, the human body cools itself by producing sweat. Sweat evaporating from the skin keeps the body cool. Higher humidity, limited air movement, and wearing protective clothing and equipment can reduce evaporation. Less evaporation means less cooling.
Poor physical condition, certain health conditions, use of alcohol, and some food and medicines also can affect the way a person’s body cools itself.
Poor physical condition, certain health conditions, use of alcohol, and some food and medicines also can affect the way a person’s body cools itself.
Heat Illness Prevention
Measures to prevent heat illness include environmental monitoring, engineering controls, acclimatizing workers, frequent intake of water, work practices, training, and medical screening.
Monitoring the environment to compare with screening criteria provides basic information needed to prevent heat stress. One screening criterion in common use is the wet-bulb globe temperature (WBGT). The WBGT is an index for the potential heat stress hazard. It accounts for ambient temperature, air movement, humidity, and radiant heat load. It is a useful guide for scheduling breaks in cool areas to make sure the body has sufficient time to cool down and recover.
