HeatStress-SafetyShare.org.pptVIP

RUNNING RIGHT SAFETY MEETING Heat Stress! Hot conditions put your body under a lot of stress. Physical activity stresses the body even more. When heat is combined with physical activity, loss of fluids, fatigue, and other conditions it can lead to a number of heat-related illnesses and injuries. Death is even possible. Heat Stress! Heat stress is commonly associated with warm weather. Its true that warm weather increases the number of heat-stress injuries and illnesses. Warm weather isnt the only cause of heat stress, though. Heat stress can occur any time the surrounding temperature is elevated. Even if the weather is cool, you may work in warm areas, indoors or out. Be alert for conditions which could cause heat stress and take precautions to prevent it.Six main factors are involved in causing heat stress:  1. temperature 2. humidity 3. movement of air 4. radiant temperature of the surroundings 5. clothing 6. physical activity Your body can adjust to working in a warm environment through a process known as acclimatization.” Acclimatization processes involve gradually increasing the amount of time you spend working in a hot environment. This gradual increase allows your body to properly adjust to the heat. Keep in mind, though, even if youre already acclimatized, conditions can change which stress your body even more. Bright sunshine, high humidity, and sources of heat in the workplace can affect your bodys ability to cool itself. If conditions change, make sure you re-acclimate yourself to the new conditions. If youre away from work for a few days or if you experience a brief period of cooler temperatures while working, you will need to re-acclimate yourself before you try to work the full shift in the hot conditions. Engineering controls can be implemented to reduce the possibility of heat stress.  These include: control the heat source through use of insulation and reflective barriers exhaust hot air or steam away from the work area