Download ppt - August 2009 UCOP Safety Meeting Preventing Heat-Related Illnesses University of California Office of the President

August 2009August 2009UCOP Safety UCOP Safety

MeetingMeeting

Preventing Heat-Related Preventing Heat-Related IllnessesIllnesses

University of California University of California

Office of the PresidentOffice of the President

University of California Office of the PresidentUniversity of California Office of the President

August 2009 Safety MeetingAugust 2009 Safety Meeting

Heat-Related Fatalities Heat-Related Fatalities

Centers for Disease Centers for Disease Control (CDC)Control (CDC) Between 1999 to 2003 – Between 1999 to 2003 –

3442 Heat-Related 3442 Heat-Related Fatalities in the U.S. Fatalities in the U.S.

Average Approximately Average Approximately 690 Deaths per Year690 Deaths per Year

Large Percentage of the Large Percentage of the Fatalities:Fatalities:

• MalesMales• ElderlyElderly



Production of Heat in Your BodyProduction of Heat in Your Body

Body Produces/Stores More Heat Body Produces/Stores More Heat Than You LoseThan You Lose Metabolism/ExerciseMetabolism/Exercise

Heat Absorbed – Radiant EnergyHeat Absorbed – Radiant Energy• Sun, HeaterSun, Heater



Body Cooling MechanismBody Cooling Mechanism

The Body Attempts to Maintain an The Body Attempts to Maintain an Internal Temperature of 98.6Internal Temperature of 98.6ooF By:F By: Increased Blood Circulation Which Increased Blood Circulation Which

Results in More Blood to the SkinResults in More Blood to the Skin• Increases Temperature of the Skin – Increases Temperature of the Skin –

Allows Body Rid Itself of the Excess HeatAllows Body Rid Itself of the Excess Heat Sweating (Perspiration)Sweating (Perspiration)

• Sweat Evaporates – Cooling of the SkinSweat Evaporates – Cooling of the Skin



Heat Illness Prevention – Heat Illness Prevention – Drink FluidsDrink Fluids

Consume Plenty of FluidsConsume Plenty of Fluids 2 to 4 Glasses/Hour2 to 4 Glasses/Hour

Thirst – Unreliable Indicator of Thirst – Unreliable Indicator of DehydrationDehydration

Avoid Alcohol, Caffeine, or High Sugar Avoid Alcohol, Caffeine, or High Sugar Beverages – DiureticsBeverages – Diuretics

Consult Physician If On a Limited Fluid Consult Physician If On a Limited Fluid Regiment or If Taking Water Pills Regiment or If Taking Water Pills



Heat Illness PreventionHeat Illness Prevention AcclimationAcclimation

Slow Process for the Body to Condition Itself Slow Process for the Body to Condition Itself to Heatto Heat

May Take Up to 10 DaysMay Take Up to 10 Days Quickly Lost in a Matter of DaysQuickly Lost in a Matter of Days

Conditioning/General HealthConditioning/General Health Stay in Shape, Exercise RegularlyStay in Shape, Exercise Regularly Watch Your WeightWatch Your Weight



Heat Preventive MeasuresHeat Preventive Measures

Stay Indoors in an Air Conditioned (A/C) PlaceStay Indoors in an Air Conditioned (A/C) Place If Home is Not A/C - Go to A/C Public Place If Home is Not A/C - Go to A/C Public Place Electric Fans - Effective Up to the Upper 90’sElectric Fans - Effective Up to the Upper 90’s

Cool Bath/Shower or Move to A/C LocationCool Bath/Shower or Move to A/C Location

Wear Light Weight, Light Colored, Loose Fitting Wear Light Weight, Light Colored, Loose Fitting ClothesClothes

Never Leave Anyone in Parked Closed VehiclesNever Leave Anyone in Parked Closed Vehicles Temperatures Can Reach 120Temperatures Can Reach 120ooF in 10 MinutesF in 10 Minutes Since 1998, > 230 Child Fatalities Since 1998, > 230 Child Fatalities



Preventive Measures If You Must Preventive Measures If You Must Be Outdoors in the HeatBe Outdoors in the Heat

Try to Limit the Activities to Morning or Try to Limit the Activities to Morning or Evening HoursEvening Hours

Do Not Engage in or Minimize Strenuous Do Not Engage in or Minimize Strenuous ActivitiesActivities

Consume 2 to 4 Glasses of Water Per Consume 2 to 4 Glasses of Water Per Hour Hour

Rest Often and Stay in Shady AreasRest Often and Stay in Shady Areas Wear Wide Brim Hats Wear Wide Brim Hats



Persons Most Susceptible to Persons Most Susceptible to Heat-Related Illnesses Heat-Related Illnesses

Infants and Young ChildrenInfants and Young Children CDC Recommends Constant MonitoringCDC Recommends Constant Monitoring

The Elderly - Persons Who are 65 The Elderly - Persons Who are 65 Years or OlderYears or Older CDC Recommends Checking On the CDC Recommends Checking On the

Elderly Twice a Day During Hot DaysElderly Twice a Day During Hot Days Persons with Heart Disease or High Persons with Heart Disease or High

Blood PressureBlood Pressure



California Heat-Related California Heat-Related Occupational Fatalities Occupational Fatalities

2004/2005 – 5 Fatalities2004/2005 – 5 Fatalities Outdoor Occupations – Agriculture & Outdoor Occupations – Agriculture &

ConstructionConstruction 2005 – Cal/OSHA Promulgated a 2005 – Cal/OSHA Promulgated a

Heat Illness Prevention StandardHeat Illness Prevention Standard Title 8, California Code of Regulations, Title 8, California Code of Regulations,

Section 3395Section 3395 Applies Only to Outdoor EnvironmentsApplies Only to Outdoor Environments



Cal/OSHA Heat Illness Cal/OSHA Heat Illness Prevention StandardPrevention Standard

When Environmental Factors for Heat When Environmental Factors for Heat Illness are PresentIllness are Present

Major ComponentsMajor Components Access to Shade for Recovery PeriodAccess to Shade for Recovery Period Access to Drinking WaterAccess to Drinking Water Written Program/Emergency ProceduresWritten Program/Emergency Procedures Training – Employees & SupervisorsTraining – Employees & Supervisors



Heat Stroke Heat Stroke Signs & SymptomsSigns & Symptoms

High Body High Body TemperatureTemperature

Hot, Red (Gray) Dry Hot, Red (Gray) Dry Skin, Rapid PulseSkin, Rapid Pulse

Confusion, Loss of Confusion, Loss of ConsciousnessConsciousness

Death is ImminentDeath is Imminent

First AidFirst Aid Call 9-1-1 ASAP & Call 9-1-1 ASAP &

Request AmbulanceRequest Ambulance Move to Cool AreaMove to Cool Area Cool with Wet Cloth Cool with Wet Cloth

and Fan the Victim to and Fan the Victim to Increase CoolingIncrease Cooling

If Conscious, Slowly If Conscious, Slowly Give Cool WaterGive Cool Water



Heat IllnessesHeat Illnesses Heat CrampsHeat Cramps

Painful Muscle Spasms –Electrolyte Painful Muscle Spasms –Electrolyte ImbalanceImbalance

Drink an Electrolyte SolutionDrink an Electrolyte Solution Fainting (Heat Syncope)Fainting (Heat Syncope)

Not Used to Hot TemperaturesNot Used to Hot Temperatures Brief Loss of Consciousness, Brief Loss of Consciousness,

Sweaty Skin, Normal Body Sweaty Skin, Normal Body Temperature & No Signs of Heat Temperature & No Signs of Heat Stroke or Heat ExhaustionStroke or Heat Exhaustion

Lie Down in a Cool PlaceLie Down in a Cool Place



Heat IllnessesHeat Illnesses Heat RashHeat Rash

Clogged/Irritated Sweat GlandsClogged/Irritated Sweat Glands Keep Skin Dry & Clean; Wear Loose Cotton Keep Skin Dry & Clean; Wear Loose Cotton

Clothing Cool Baths; Lotions to Relieve the Clothing Cool Baths; Lotions to Relieve the Pain/IrritationPain/Irritation

Heat ExhaustionHeat Exhaustion Wet, Pale, & Weak AppearanceWet, Pale, & Weak Appearance Normal Heart Rate/Body TemperatureNormal Heart Rate/Body Temperature Severe Cases – Vomiting & FaintingSevere Cases – Vomiting & Fainting Rest in Cool Place & Drink Electrolyte Rest in Cool Place & Drink Electrolyte

SolutionSolution





In SummaryIn Summary

To Prevent Heat Related Illnesses To Prevent Heat Related Illnesses Stay Indoors or In the ShadeStay Indoors or In the Shade

• If Possible Remain Indoors in the Heat of the DayIf Possible Remain Indoors in the Heat of the Day

Drink Plenty of FluidsDrink Plenty of Fluids Rest & Minimize Strenuous ActivitiesRest & Minimize Strenuous Activities

The Young and Elder are the Most The Young and Elder are the Most Susceptible to Heat-Related IllnessesSusceptible to Heat-Related Illnesses Require Increased Monitoring During Require Increased Monitoring During

Extreme Heat ConditionsExtreme Heat Conditions