Heat and Cold Stress

Employees who are exposed to extreme heat or work in hot environments may be at risk of heat stress. Exposure to extreme heat can result in occupational illnesses and injuries. Heat stress can result in heat stroke, heat exhaustion, heat cramps, or heat rashes. Heat can also increase the risk of injuries in workers as it may result in sweaty palms, fogged-up safety glasses, and dizziness. Burns may also occur as a result of accidental contact with hot surfaces or steam.

Employees at risk of heat stress include outdoor work crews and employees in hot environments such as working in a boiler room. Employees at greater risk of heat stress include those who are 65 years of age or older, are overweight, have heart disease or high blood pressure, or take medications that may be affected by extreme heat.

Some employees may be required to work outdoors in cold environments and for extended periods, for example, snow cleanup crews, plumbers, Campus Safety Officers, etc. Cold stress can be encountered in these types of work environment. The following information will help employees understand what cold stress is, how it may affect their health and safety, and how it can be prevented.

The signs of heat and cold stress vary from person to person. Be aware of your limitations and surroundings.

Heat Stress

The signs of heat strain vary from person to person and become worse as the problem progresses. The symptoms of possible heat stroke are italicized.

• Muscle cramps(usually legs and abdomen-convulsions or muscular twitching)
• Breathing (varied-rapid-deep-shallow)
• Pulse (varied-shallow-rapid)
• Weakness
• Nausea (queasy-vomiting)
• Skin (warm-cold clammy-red, dry and hot)
• Perspiration (heavy-little or none)
• Level of consciousness (reduced performance-headaches, dizziness or fainting-confusion or unconsciousness -coma or death)
• Fever

If a person shows signs of heat strain:

• Move the victim to rest in a cool shaded area. Do not leave the person alone. For dizziness, lie down and raise legs 6-8 inches. For nausea, lie on side or stomach.
• Loosen clothes and remove any heavy clothing.
• Have the person drink cool water unless sick to the stomach.
• Cool the person’s body by fanning and spraying with a cool mist of water or applying a wet cloth to the person’s skin.
• Call Campus Safety Emergency at 3-3333 for emergency help if symptoms worsen or persist for a few minutes or if heat stroke is suspected.

The main key is to be aware of your limitations and surroundings, and taking actions to decrease their likelihood of adversely affecting you.

• Wear appropriate clothing.
• Drink liquids avoiding alcohol and caffeine which dehydrate the body.
• Replace the electrolytes lost from sweating (drinks like Gatorade help).
• Take breaks out of the heat to recuperate when needed.

Heat Stress is created by a combination of factors that can add up to serious consequences. These factors are as follows:

Air flow

The less air movement there is, the greater the chances are of heat stress.

Air temperature

The higher the temperature, the more likely heat stress may take place. Though the air temp is easy to find it is one of the least reliable.

Clothing

If you’re wearing more clothing, the likelihood of heat stress will be increased.

Humidity

The more water in the air, the greater the amount of heat stress.

Physical activity

The more active a person is, the greater the possibility for heat stress.

Physical health

Certain medications, medical conditions, a low level of fitness, age factors, or poor health can increase heat stress.

Radiant heat

Radiant heat is emitted from anything that is hot. This means it can come from mechanical equipment, the sun, and even people. The more radiant heat there is, the greater the chance of heat stress.

Cold Stress

The signs of cold stress start with mild symptoms that become worse without treatment.

• Mild Cold injury: shivering or numbness in face, ears, hands or feet
• Frost nip (frozen skin): yellowish/white skin that is soft to the touch, tingling/burning sensation
• Trench foot (less severe than frostbite but can occur above freezing): blisters with tingling/itching/burning sensation affecting the foot
• Frostbite (frozen skin and underlying tissue): white and waxy grayish yellow skin that is hard to the touch, swelling, redness, tingling/burning sensation, numbness
• Hypothermia: drowsiness, shivering, irritability, slurred speech, confusion, apathy, stiff muscles, discoloration of lips, cold skin

If a person shows signs of cold stress:

• Move the victim to a warm area.
• Remove any wet clothing and in the case of frostbite and hypothermia any restrictive clothing or jewelry.
• Warm affected area SLOWLY. Do not rub the area, use heating pads, hot water, or electric blankets. These will cause more tissue damage as the body part(s) thaw. Instead use blankets, warm breath, or warm water if only a small area is affected. Have the victim stick affected hands in their armpits.
• For milder cases of cold stress warm sugary water is advisable (bring on the coco!)
• Call Campus Safety Emergency at 3-3333 help if you suspect frostbite or hypothermia.

The main key is to be aware of your limitations and surroundings, and taking actions to decrease their likelihood of adversely affecting you.

• Wear appropriate clothing.
• Wear a warm hat as your head is the main source for losing heat.
• Avoid being outdoors during snowstorms and other situations of extreme cold if possible.
• Take breaks to get out of the cold when needed.
• Remember that it is difficult to tell when a person becomes too cold, so if you think you’ve been outside for too long it may be best to get someplace warm.

Cold stress is created by a combination of factors that can add up to serious consequences. These factors are as follows:

Air flow

The more air movement there is, the greater the chances are of cold stress.

Air temperature

The lower the temperature, the more likely cold stress may take place. Though the air temp is easy to find it is one of the least reliable.

Clothing

If you’re wearing less clothing, the likelihood of cold stress will be increased.

Humidity

The less water in the air, the greater the amount of cold stress.

Physical activity

The less active a person is, the greater the possibility for cold stress.

Physical health

Certain medications, medical conditions, a low level of fitness, age factors, or poor health can increase cold stress.

Radiant heat

Radiant heat is emitted from anything that is hot. This means it can come from mechanical equipment, the sun, and even people. The less radiant heat there is, the greater the chance of cold stress.