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Heat Stress Awareness What is heat stress? When the body is unable to cool itself by sweating, several heat-induced illnesses such as heat cramps, heat exhaustion and the more severe heat stroke can occur.
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What kind of heat disorders can occur? |
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Heat stroke is the most serious disorder associated with heat stress. It occurs when the body’s temperature regulation fails and body temperature rises to critical levels. It is a medical emergency that can lead to death. |
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Heat exhaustion is a result of the combination of excessive heat and dehydration. Untreated, heat exhaustion can lead to heat stroke.
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Heat cramps are usually the result of hard physical labor in a hot environment, often resulting from an imbalance of electrolytes in the body.
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Heat rashes are a common problem resulting from persistent wetting of clothing by un-evaporated sweat.
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Heat Stress Exposure How am I exposed? Any process or job site that is likely to raise the worker’s deep core temperature raises the risk of heat stress. These include operations involving |
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high air temperatures, radiant heat sources, high humidity |
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direct physical contact with hot objects, poor ventilation, or |
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strenuous physical activities. |
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In addition, age, weight, degree of physical fitness and acclimatization, dehydration, metabolism, use of alcohol or medications, and a variety of medical conditions all affect a person’s sensitivity to heat. |
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Heat Stress Prevention What can I do to prevent heat-related conditions? Heat-related conditions can be prevented or its effects minimized by: |
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Frequent work breaks in an area that is cooler than the work environment.
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Drinking plenty of water or non-caffeinated beverages.
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Wearing light-colored, loose-fitting clothing.
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Avoiding alcohol and caffeine.
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OSHA Fact Sheets and Guides |
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For questions or concerns on heat stress or safety in general at NMSU, call EH&S at 575-646-3327. (http://safety.nmsu.edu) |
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Safety Programs, Procedures, & Guides
