1a: Chapter 2 Flashcards
Heat Stress
Heat stress
The buildup in the body of heat generated by your muscles during work and by a warm/hot work environment
Heat illness
A number of disorders that can happen when your body is subjected to more heat that it can cope with (usually a 2-5 degree increase)
Why should I care about heat stress/illness
While not caused by pesticides, pesticide application often required protective clothing (heavy/hot) and can be confused with acute pesticide poisoning
Contributing factors to heat stress
-Heat factors (temp, humidity, sunlight, wind)
-workload (how much and how intensive the work is)
-PPE (extra layers and chemical resistant fabric)
-water intake (even if you are sweating and cooling you still need water)
Symptoms of heat exhaustion
sweating, headache, fatigue, dry membranes, fast pulse, dilated pupils nausea, central nervous system depression aka loss of coordination, confusion and fainting but able to wake up
Symptoms of organophosphates/carbamate poisoing
Sweating, headaches, fatigue, moist membranes, slow pulse, small pupils nausea and diarrhea, central nervous system depression aka loss of coordination, confustion and coma (cannot wake up)
How can an employer protect employees from heat stress
Providing trainings before warm weather season or at start or once a year. Provide information, breaks and water to employees
How to prevent heat stress
-manage workload (allow for acclimation of temp or time)
-account for heat factors (what clothing you wear, wearing PPE at coolest points in day)
-select appropriate PPE (read labels and decide on the coolest possible PPE while being protected)
-Drink enough water (before, during, and after even if you aren’t thirsty)
-Know when to stop working (it’s okay!)
General heat illness first aid
Move person to shaded/cooler area, remove PPE/clothing, cool them by sponging or splashing skin with water or shower them, if conscious have them drink water, keep them calm and call for help
Early heat illness symptoms and treatment
-mild dizziness, fatigue, irraitability, decreased concentration, impaired judgement, may worsen
-loosen or remove clothing, rest in shade for 30+ min, and drink water
Heat rash or “prickly heat” symptoms and treatments
-tiny, blister like red spots on skin, prickling, usually under PPE or clothes
-Loosen clothes, clean skin and apply drying lotion or cornstarch, shower after work for prevention
Heat cramps symptoms and treatments
-painful spasms of the legs, arms or abdominal muscles, heavy sweating, thirst, can be during or after work, and can be totally disabling
-loosen clothing, drink lightly salted beverages (electrolights), massage, and res
Heat exhausting symptoms and treatment
-fatigue, dizziness, headache, muscle weakness or cramping, loss or coordination, collapse, profuse sweating, pale/moist/cool skin but dry mouth, dark yellow urine, fast pulse, nausea, urge to defecate, rapid breathing, chills, tingles, confusion, slurred speech, irritability, temp 99.5-101.3
-call for help, move person to cooler/shaded area, lay them down, provide water if conscious but not salt, loosen clothing, splash cold water, massage arms and legs and if they faint- treat as heat stroke
Heat stroke symptoms and treatments
-can occur suddenly, headache, dizziness, confusion, irrational behavior, coma, decreased sweating, fast pulse, rapid breathing, possible convulsions, nausea, incoherent speech, aggressive behavior (can resist treatment), temp 104 and over
-call 911 immediately if heat stroke is suspected, move to a cooler/shaded area, remove outer clothes, wrap in a wet sheet, pour water on them and fan vigorously, clear vomit from mouth/nose if occurs, elevate legs, if conscious drink water not salt, again get help ASAP
