Stay Safe Working in the Sun:

Tips for Recognizing and Preventing Heat Illness

JOURNAL: ISSUE 2 - 2012

As work increases in the summer so do the temperatures and the risk of heat related illnesses. Working in high temperatures, high humidity, and/or
in direct sun can lead to illnesses ranging from a heat rash to life threatening heat stroke.

Know the Warning Signs

• Heat Rash: clusters of red bumps that appear on your neck, upper chest, or in the folds of skin.
• Heat Exhaustion: weakness, thirst, heavy sweating, a headache, nausea and/or dizziness.
• Heat Stroke: confusion, very high body temperature and hot, dry skin or very heavy sweating, fainting, and/or seizures.

Take Precautions

OSHA recommends three simple steps: Water, Rest and Shade

• WATER: Drink plenty of fluids throughout the day. Don't wait until you're thirsty to drink water. A good rule of thumb is to drink 4 cups of water every hour. It is best to drink a small amount of water every 15 minutes.
• REST: Rest breaks help your body recover.
• SHADE: Resting in the shade or in air-conditioning helps you cool down.
  If you or one of your co-workers shows any signs of a heat-related illness let your supervisor or foreman know immediately – don't wait. If you suspect a co-worker has heat stroke – it is an emergency – call 911. If you can, move the person to a shady area, loosen their clothing, and give them water (a little at a time) and, if available, an ice pack to help them cool down.

To learn more, go to OSHA's Campaign to Prevent Heat Illness:

www.osha.gov/SLTC/heatillness/index.html or CPWR's Construction Solutions website: www.cpwrconstructionsolutions.org, click on "Masonry, Tile, Cement & Plaster" and select a work task to learn more about heat and other hazards 
and solutions.