Heat & Temperature Hazards

Heat & Temperature Hazards

Chapter 10

Goetsch

Thermal comfort

Comfort depends on:

Temperature

Humidity

Air distribution

Personal preference

Acclimatization

Heat transfer

Conduction - molecular transfer

Convection - moving medium

Radiation - electromagnetic energy

Metabolic heat

Environmental heat

Heat stress

Heat gain from any source which is more than the body can compensate for

Heat stroke

Heat exhaustion

Heat cramps

Heat rash

Heat fatigue, transient, chronic

Heat stroke

Rapid rise in core temperature

Symptoms

hot, dry, mottled skin

confusion/convulsions

loss of consciousness

Heat stroke

Factors that affect:

Obesity

physical condition

alcohol intake

cardiovascular disease

prolonged exposure

Heat stroke

Response

Immerse in chilled water if possible

Wrap in wet thin sheets, fan

Prevention

Medical screening

Gradual acclimatization

Rotating workers

Personal protective equipment

Monitoring employees

Heat exhaustion

Water and salt depletion

Fatigue

Nausea

Headache

Lightheadedness

Clammy moist skin

Heat exhaustion

Pale or flushed complexion

Fainting

Rapid pulse

Heat exhaustion

Move to cool area

Rest lying down

Take fluids by mouth

Replenish electrolytes

Heat cramps

Salt and potassium depletion

Due to sweating

Water without salt exacerbates the situation

Acclimatize workers

Drink appropriate fluids

Heat rash

Small red bumps or blisters

Uncomfortable due to sweat not evaporating

Cooler, less humid environment, clean the affected area, change clothes

Heat fatigue

Transient - temporary fatigue

Chronic - doesn’t go away

May lead to other types of stress

Burns

Disrupt function of skin

Severity of burns

First degree - mild inflammation

Second degree - blisters

Third degree - damage to epidermis and dermis

Burns

Third degree may penetrate body tissue

Moist and dry hazards

Body surface area burned is also important

Body surface area

See figure 10-4

Minor burns

Moderate burns

Critical burns

Chemical burns

Destroy body tissue until washed away

Severity of burn depends on:

Corrosive capability of chemical

Chemical concentration

Temperature of chemical

Duration of contact

Chemical burns

First aid

Flood the area with lots of water as quickly as possible

Remove employee’s clothes

Cold hazards

Hypothermia - generalized injury

Frostbite, frostnip, trenchfoot localized injuries

Frostbite

Freezing of fluids around the cells

First degree - no blistering or peeling

Second degree - blistering & peeling

Third degree - death of skin/tissue

Frostnip

Skin turn white

No tissue damage

Frostbite may follow if not protected

Trenchfoot

Tingling, itching, swelling of extremities

Continuous exposure to cold moist conditions

Hypothermia

Body core temperature drops to low levels

Uncontrolled shivering

Sensation of cold

Weak pulse

Slurred speech

Fatigue

Memory lapses

Cold prevention

Medical supervision & screening

Orientation and training

Work practices

Engineering and administrative controls

See figure 10-7