How Hot Are You?

 

Heat Illness Prevention

Daphne Thaung, MS, CIH Sarah Meyer, ASP

UCSD Environment, Health & Safety

http://blink.ucsd.edu/go/preventheatillness

Heat kills... your business!Heat kills... your business!• 16 jobsites were shut down in 2009 16 jobsites were shut down in 2009

for imminent hazards due to heatfor imminent hazards due to heat• Nearly $ 2 million in penalties and Nearly $ 2 million in penalties and

1158 citations issued in 20091158 citations issued in 2009• District Attorneys may review these District Attorneys may review these

cases for criminal activitycases for criminal activity• Bad press/media attentionBad press/media attention• 41 confirmed heat illnesses and 1 41 confirmed heat illnesses and 1

confirmed heat fatality in 2009confirmed heat fatality in 2009

2009 Working Conditions2009 Working Conditions

Personal Risk Factors• May put employees at a higher risk of

developing heat illness:– Age– Weight– Physical fitness/metabolism– Personal choices

• Prescription Drugs• Alcohol/Caffeine/Water Consumption• Food

– Underlying Medical Conditions

Getting Acclimated

• 4 to 14 days working at least 2 hours/day

• Highest risk for heat illness:– At the start of the summer session– New employee– Coming back from illness or vacation

Gradually getting used to the heat

Heat Illness Prevention During Heat Waves

Take Extra Measures - Take Extra Measures - More WaterMore Water

Drink water more frequently before, Drink water more frequently before, during and after workduring and after work

Water must be “readily accessible,” but in no case further than ¼ mile or a five-minute walk, and must be “fresh, pure, suitably cool”

Effective replenishment of extra Effective replenishment of extra supplies of watersupplies of water

Spraying body with water/wiping with Spraying body with water/wiping with wet towelswet towels

• Supervisors/employees watch each other very closely & provide more frequent feedback

• Avoid working alone - “buddy system”• Account for employee whereabouts

throughout the work shift and end of the day

Heat Illness Prevention During Heat Waves

Heat Illness Prevention During Heat Illness Prevention During Heat WavesHeat Waves

SHADE: blockage of direct sunlightSHADE: blockage of direct sunlight

– Take 5 minute breaks though out the day Take 5 minute breaks though out the day in shadein shade

– Eat lunch or rest in shade for longer Eat lunch or rest in shade for longer breaks as wellbreaks as well

– Ex: buildings, canopies, umbrellas, treesEx: buildings, canopies, umbrellas, trees

Is this adequate shade?

The nearest shaded area must be as close as practicable. Usually this will mean that shade must be reachable within a 2 1/2 minute walk, but in no case

more than 1/4-mile or a five minute walk away, whichever is shorter.

Examples of Acceptable Source of Shade

– Take 5 minute breaks Take 5 minute breaks though out the day in though out the day in shadeshade

– Eat lunch or rest in Eat lunch or rest in shade for longer shade for longer breaks as wellbreaks as well

– Ex: buildings, Ex: buildings, canopies, umbrellas, canopies, umbrellas, treestrees

If the temperature exceeds 90 F, shade must actually be present regardless of the previous day's predicted temperature high.

Heat Cramps

• Painful spasms of muscles • Muscles used to perform the work are usually

the ones most susceptible to cramps• Cause:

– Sweating heavily– Replacing water not salt

• Symptoms– Hot, moist skin– Normal pulse– Normal to slightly high body

temperature

Heat Cramps Prevention

• Move into shade

• Loosen clothing• Drink lightly salted liquids• Wait to see if symptoms go away• Seek medical aid if cramps persist

Heat Exhaustion

• Loss of fluid from sweating when worker has failed to drink enough fluids

• Cause:– Body’s heat-control mechanism is overactive– Loss of body fluids and minerals

• Symptoms:– Heavy sweating– Extreme thirst– Extreme weakness and fatigue– Giddiness, nausea, or headaches– Skin is cool, clammy, and moist, complexion pale or flushed– Body temperature is normal or slightly higher

First Aid Treatmentfor Heat Exhaustion

• Move victim into shade• Loosen and remove clothing • Cool the victim (wet cloth, spray mist)• Have victim slowly drink water• Elevate victim’s legs• Medical Aid ASAP if victim not better

Heat Stroke

• Most serious, failure of the body’s internal mechanism to regulate it’s core temperature

• Cause: – Body temperature rises to fatal levels

• Symptoms:– Lack of sweat– Mental confusion, delirium, loss of concentration, convulsions or

coma– Rapid pulse– A body temperature of 106°F or higher– Hot dry skin, which may be red, mottled, or blush– Convulsions, seizures, unconsciousness, or death can occur

THE MOST SERIOUS STAGE OF HEAT ILLNESS

First Aid Treatment for Heat Stroke

• Call for emergency help ASAP

• Move victim into shade

• Loosen outer clothing

• Lower body temperature (massage body with ice or damp cloth)

• If victim is alert, have them slowly drink water

Heat Illness Signs & Symptoms

Heavy sweating, cramps, rapid pulse, headache, nausea, vomiting

Dry, red, hot skin, fainting, high body temperature, disoriented, confused

NEED MEDICAL NEED MEDICAL HELPHELP

Heat Exhaustion Heat Stroke

UCSD Campus Police

• From a campus phone911

• From a cell phone858-534-HELP

Emergency Notification ProcedureEmergency Notification Procedure

• Tell the UCSD Police dispatcher that this is a heat related issue

• If ambulance is not readily available, go to the nearest Emergency Room– Thornton or Scripps Hospital on main campus– Hillcrest

• Notify your supervisor– Contact Workers’ Compensation at 822-2979

• If hospitalized, notify the UCSD Police Dispatcher

http://blink.ucsd.edu/go/preventheatillness

In Review: Planning Procedures

Weather monitoring- heat waveAcclimizationWaterShadeTrainingRecognizing heat illness symptomsContacting emergency medical servicesProviding clear and precise directions

534-HELP

911 (land line)

FALSE

Union Tribune, 6/23/09

A. Children under the age of 4

B. Anyone wearing sun protective clothing

C. All of the above

D. African-American and people with dark pigmented skin

E. None of the above

Union Tribune, 6/23/09

A. African-American and people with dark pigmented skin

B. Children under the age of 4

C. Anyone wearing sun protective clothing

D. All of the above

E. None of the above

Union Tribune, 6/23/09

1 ounce…..enough to fill a shot glass

Basal Cell CarcinomaBasal Cell Carcinoma

• Affects 800,000 Americans each yearAffects 800,000 Americans each year

• Common on exposed parts of the Common on exposed parts of the bodybody

• Common cancer in fair-skinned Common cancer in fair-skinned peoplepeople

Squamous Cell CarcinomaSquamous Cell Carcinoma

• Second most common skin cancerSecond most common skin cancer

• Afflicts 100,000 people/yearAfflicts 100,000 people/year

• Arises from the epidermis and can Arises from the epidermis and can metastasizemetastasize

• Tumor appears in sun-exposed areasTumor appears in sun-exposed areas

• May be inheritedMay be inherited

MelanomaMelanoma

• Most serious form of skin cancerMost serious form of skin cancer

• 42,000 new cases reported to ACS42,000 new cases reported to ACS

• Early stages, almost 100% curableEarly stages, almost 100% curable

• Advance stages, can be deadlyAdvance stages, can be deadly

• Malignant tumor originates in Malignant tumor originates in melanocytes (four types)melanocytes (four types)

• Heavily concentrates in molesHeavily concentrates in moles

Ways to Reduce Risk of Skin Cancer

• Wear Protective Clothing• Wear Hats with Wide-brimmed• Use Sunscreen on Exposed Skin

(>SPF 15)• Avoid Midday Sun Exposure (10am-4pm)• Avoid Artificial UVR Sources• Be Aware of Photosensitizing Medications• Perform Skin Examination Each Month

A. Twice as much

B. Fifteen times as much

C. Thirty times as much

D. Four percent more

E. Fifteen percent more

Union Tribune, 6/23/09

A. Twice as much

B. Fifteen times as much

C. Thirty times as much

D. Four percent more

E. Fifteen percent more

Union Tribune, 6/23/09

Perform Monthly Skin Check

monthly

Sunscreen Protection Factor

• Use products with SPF 15 or higher,that block UVA and UVB (titanium dioxide, zinc oxide, or avobenzone)

• Shake container well • Apply generously and evenly (Ears too!)• Apply 20 minutes before sun exposure• Reapply every two hours or when wet• Use sunscreen even on cloudy & cool

days

Poikiloderma

What’s one of the most important body parts that needs sun protection?

Eye Protection

• UVB contributes to cataracts, vision-clouding clumps in the lens of the eye

• Wear sunglasses with labels meeting ANSI (95% UVB, 60% UVA)

• Choose large-frame wraparound style

In Conclusion:Heat Related Illnesses are

PreventableRecognize early warning signs

and take proactive action

Skin Cancer Is PreventableTake Care of Your Skin by Using

Good Skin Care Methods and Products EVERYDAY

References

American Academy of Dermatology, Skin Cancer-An Undeclared Epidemic, 1994

National Institutes of Health Consensus Development Conference Statement, Sunlight, Ultraviolet Radiation, and the Skin, 1989

Ferrini R., Perlman M, Hill L. Skin Protection from Ultraviolet Light Exposure American College of Preventive Medicine Practice Policy Statement

Consumer Reports, July 2000

The Skin Cancer Foundation: http://www.skincancer.org

Cal/OSHA Reporter, June 14, 2002 & July 6 and 29, 2007

http://www.dir.ca.gov/DOSH/HeatIllnessInfo.html

http://www.webmd.com/melanoma-skin-cancer/

Any Questions???