我们已经进入夏季的几个星期了，是时候提醒你们的工人注意热应激的危害以及如何保护自己免受热应激的影响了。如果工人和主管经过适当的培训，了解症状和采取的措施，就可以避免与热有关的伤害。

There Are Many Factors That Can Cause or Contribute to Heat-Related Illness. Here Are Just a Few:

• High temperature and humidity
• Low fluid consumption
• 阳光直射或酷热
• Limited air movement
• Increased or excessive physical exertion
• 笨重的防护服或设备
• 健康问题
• Some medications
• Pregnancy
• Failure to acclimate to hot workplaces
• Previous heat-related illness

There are four primary health issues that are caused by heat exposure. Here are the most dangerous with a brief explanation of the signs or symptoms and actions to take should the symptoms manifest themselves.

热疹

Heat rash is one of the most common heat-related illness in hot work environments. It is caused by sweating, looks like a red cluster of pimples or small blisters, and is most commonly observed in damp or restricted areas such as elbows, arm pits, necklines, and knees. If identified, the rash needs to remain dry. Creams or ointment should not be used as a first aid remedy.

Heat Cramps

Heat cramps are muscle pains usually caused by over-exertion in a hot work environment that cause a loss of body salts and fluid during sweating. Workers experiencing heat cramps should be relocated to a cooler environment and replace lost fluids by drinking water or liquids with high carbohydrate-electrolytes (sports drink) every 20 minutes.

Heat Exhaustion

The second most serious heat-related illness is Heat Exhaustion. The symptoms are headaches, nausea, dizziness, weakness, irritability, confusion, thirst, heavy sweating, and a body temperature of 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit. Workers with these symptoms should be moved to a cooler environment and given liquids to drink. Any unnecessary clothing should be removed including shoes and socks. It is very important to attempt to lower the body temperature by applying cool compresses to the head, neck and face. Workers with signs or symptoms of heat exhaustion should be taken to a clinic or emergency room for medical evaluation prior to returning to work.

Heat Stroke

Heat stroke is the most dangerous heat-related health illness. Heat stroke occurs when the body’s temperature regulating system fails and internal body temperatures rise to critical levels, which are over 104 degrees Fahrenheit. Signs of a possible heat stroke are confusion, loss of consciousness and seizures. Even though the body’s temp is critically high it may stop sweating leaving skin pale and clammy feeling. If the body’s temperature is at this level then it is a medical emergency that may result in death! Immediately get medical attention and call 911. Until medical help arrives, move the worker into a cool environment and remove as much clothing as possible. Cool the worker by placing cool, wet compresses or ice all over the body.

Train and Prevent

The most important tool that workers can have is training on what to look for, how to prevent, and what to do if they or a co-worker experiences a heat-related illness. Along with training here are a few tips your company can follow to lessen the effects of the heat and prevent heat-related illness.

• 允许工人通过在5天内增加接触来建立耐受性。制定计划，逐步增加户外工作量，直到工人在第五个工作日达到100%。
• 在工作区域方便和可见的位置为工人提供大量冷水。如果可能的话，水温应该在50到60度之间。
• Every worker should be reminding others to drink water frequently. They should be drinking about 6 ounces every 15 minutes. The warmer the conditions the more each worker should drink but be aware that it is harmful to drink an extreme amount of water. Do not drink more than 12 quarts of water in a 24 hour period.
• Keep track of the weather forecast. Try to reschedule strenuous work on high heat weather days or schedule during cooler times of the day.
• 安排在凉爽、阴凉或有空调的地方经常休息和喝水。

随着夏季刚刚开始升温，通过教育员工与热相关疾病相关的危险、症状和首选急救或应急响应，确保员工免受热相关疾病的危害非常重要。

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