Heat stress management programs

Heat Stress Management in Sunshine Education and Research Center. Learning Objectives. At the completion of this activity, the learner will be able to:.

Articulate the associated risks of exceeding commonly used heat stress exposure limits. Prepare an acceptable acclimatization program. The clothing may be wetted terry cloth coveralls or wetted two-piece, whole-body cotton suits. This approach to auxiliary cooling can be quite effective under conditions of high temperature and low humidity, where evaporation from the wetted garment is not restricted. Water-cooled garments range from a hood, which cools only the head, to vests and "long johns," which offer partial or complete body cooling.

Use of this equipment requires a battery-driven circulating pump, liquid-ice coolant, and a container. Although this system has the advantage of allowing wearer mobility, the weight of the components limits the amount of ice that can be carried and thus reduces the effective use time. The heat transfer rate in liquid cooling systems may limit their use to low-activity jobs; even in such jobs, their service time is only about 20 minutes per pound of cooling ice.

To keep outside heat from melting the ice, an outer insulating jacket should be an integral part of these systems. Circulating air is the most highly effective, as well as the most complicated, personal cooling system. By directing compressed air around the body from a supplied air system, both evaporative and convective cooling are improved. The greatest advantage occurs when circulating air is used with impermeable garments or double cotton overalls.

One type, used when respiratory protection is also necessary, forces exhaust air from a supplied-air hood "bubble hood" around the neck and down inside an impermeable suit. The air then escapes through openings in the suit. In addition, a vortex tube can be used to reduce the temperature of circulating air.

The cooled air from this tube can be introduced either under the clothing or into a bubble hood. The use of a vortex tube separates the air stream into a hot and cold stream; these tubes also can be used to supply heat in cold climates. Circulating air, however, is noisy and requires a constant source of compressed air supplied through an attached air hose. One problem with this system is the limited mobility of workers whose suits are attached to an air hose. Another is that of getting air to the work area itself.

These systems should therefore be used in work areas where workers are not required to move around much or to climb. Another concern with these systems is that they can lead to dehydration.

The cool, dry air feels comfortable and the worker may not realize that it is important to drink liquids frequently. The weight of a self-contained breathing apparatus SCBA increases stress on a worker, and this stress contributes to overall heat stress. Chemical protective clothing such as totally encapsulating chemical protection suits will also add to the heat stress problem.

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Heat Stress Safety Management This is a sample or partial document Download the full customizable and printable version. Train supervisors and workers about heat stress. Implement a buddy system where workers observe each other for signs of heat intolerance.

Require workers to conduct self-monitoring and create a work group i. Provide adequate amounts of cool, potable water near the work area and encourage workers to drink frequently.

Implement a heat alert program whenever the weather service forecasts that a heat wave is likely to occur. Institute a heat acclimatization plan and increase physical fitness. Training Train workers before hot outdoor work begins. Effects of nonoccupational factors drugs, alcohol, obesity, etc. The importance of acclimatization. The importance of immediately reporting to the supervisor any symptoms or signs of heat-related illness in themselves or in coworkers.

In addition, supervisors should be trained on the following: How to implement appropriate acclimatization. What procedures to follow when a worker has symptoms consistent with heat-related illness, including emergency response procedures. How to monitor weather reports.

How to respond to hot weather advisories. How to monitor and encourage adequate fluid intake and rest breaks. Acclimatization Acclimatization is the result of beneficial physiological adaptations e. Closely supervise new employees for the first 14 days or until they are fully acclimatized. Non-physically fit workers require more time to fully acclimatize. Acclimatization can be maintained for a few days of non-heat exposure. Taking breaks in air conditioning will not affect acclimatization.