Whew! Summer temperatures have arrived a little early this year. Even just walking from your house to your car can be a struggle. If your job requires you to work 8-12 hours in such harsh conditions, you could be putting yourself at risk of losing your life every day.
Those who work or play outdoors should be mindful of those with whom they work or play, watching for signs of distress or illness. Encourage those who work for or with you to sit in the shade and drink cool water if necessary. In these temperatures false bravado and any desire to impress superiors are unnecessary and should be refrained from.
If you exercise or work in the yard but don't have to work outdoors, make sure you stay hydrated and try to work or play in the early morning or late evening when it's a bit cooler.
The following is an excerpt from a Workers' Compensation Workplace Safety publication: Familiarize yourself with the symptoms of heat exhaustion and heat stroke so that you can take appropriate action immediately if you suspect you or someone you are with may have it. It could save a life. Please share this information with anyone you think could benefit from this knowledge.
The human body likes to maintain a constant body temperature, so excess heat must be removed from the body. This is done by blood circulation in the outer layer of the skin and by the release of moisture from the sweat glands to the skin. When air temperatures are high, skin sweating is the only way the body can maintain a constant body temperature. This only works if the sweat is removed from the skin by evaporation. When humidity is high, sweat evaporation is reduced and body temperature increases significantly.
Humans can acclimate to heat with gradual exposure to hot environments. This process takes 5-7 days. People who do not acclimate gradually to heat are more susceptible to heat stroke. Hot environments can make accidents more likely due to sweaty palms, dizziness, and fogging of safety glasses. Mental confusion, fatigue, and irritability are signs of overheating. This can impair judgment and lead to risky behavior.
Excessive exposure to heat can cause a variety of problems and illnesses. Heat cramps are painful muscle spasms that occur during heavy work in a hot environment. Standing in one position for a long time in the heat can cause fainting. Moving around rather than standing still can help prevent fainting. Heat rash occurs when sweat does not evaporate from the skin. The sweat ducts become clogged and a rash develops. Heat rash can lead to infection. Taking frequent breaks in cool places during the day and bathing as often as possible to dry the skin can help prevent heat rash.
Heat stroke is more serious and is caused by excessive fluid loss through sweating, which may also include salt loss. Signs and symptoms include headache, dizziness, weakness, mood changes (confused or irritable), upset stomach, vomiting, decreased or dark urine, lightheadedness or fainting, and pale, clammy skin. Move heat stroke victim to a cool, shady place, give cool water to drink, fan to cool, cool skin with wet cloths, lay on back with feet elevated 6-8 inches if dizzy, lay on side if nauseous, loosen and remove heavy clothing, and stay close to victim.
If you do not feel better after a few minutes, seek emergency medical help. If heat exhaustion is untreated, it can progress to heat stroke, which is the most serious form of heat illness. Heat stroke occurs when the body's temperature regulation system fails and there is insufficient sweating or sweating is insufficient to eliminate excess heat. Signs of heat stroke include dry, pale skin (no sweating), hot and red skin, mood changes (irritability, confusion), seizures or convulsions, collapse, or loss of consciousness.
Prompt first aid for people with heat stroke can be life-threatening and should include the same first aid as for heat exhaustion, in addition to calling for emergency medical help, turning the person onto their back if unconscious, removing nearby objects if they are having a seizure, giving them cold water to drink if conscious, and applying ice to the armpits and groin.
People at risk of heatstroke are more likely to develop it if they are dehydrated, fatigued, not frequently exposed to heat and humidity, over 40 years old, in poor health or overweight, taking certain medications (antihistamines, diuretics, some tranquilizers), have had heatstroke before, have used drugs or alcohol within the past 24 hours, have a heat rash or sunburn, or are wearing tight or heavy clothing.
People and employers can protect themselves and their employees by following these recommendations: Educate all employees on the signs and symptoms of heat illness and how to respond. Schedule the most strenuous work for the coolest times of the day. Recommend a buddy system so help is nearby if needed. Provide ample amounts of cool water and encourage employees to drink a glass every 15-20 minutes. Recommend wearing light-colored, loose-fitting, breathable (cotton) clothing. Provide frequent, short breaks in cool, shady areas. Recommend that employees avoid large meals and the consumption of caffeinated or alcoholic beverages before and during work in hot environments. Use electric fans or air conditioners. Provide tools and equipment to reduce physical strain on employees.
Be mindful and vigilant of the people around you. If your normally friendly partner suddenly becomes angry and aggressive, it may be the first sign of heatstroke. Point it out and tell them to take a break. During the summer, work and play conditions in Florida can be really dangerous.
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Peter and Eileen Ward have sold Greensward of Marco after 40 years in the lawn and landscaping business on Marco Island. If you have comments or questions about Eileen's column, please email her at Gswdmarco@comcast.net or call her at 239-269-0192.
