When the body heats up faster than it can cool off, mild to severe heat illness may develop. It is extremely

important that everyone is able to recognize the symptoms of heat illness and understand how to prevent,

control and respond to their effects.

Multiple factors can increase the risk of developing heat illness. Some include air temperature, humidity,

clothing worn, weight, physical fitness, alcohol or drug use and pre-existing medical conditions.

The typically expected heat conditions you may expect working for our company are:

  • The average summer high temperature in Columbus is 90 degrees

  • The average summer humidity in Columbus is 54%

  • Plumbers often work in crawl spaces or attics

  • Drink water - Drink small amounts of water frequently— a cup every 15-20 minutes. (Alcohol and

caffeine increase the loss of body fluids.)

  • Limit exposure time and/or temperature - Try to schedule hot jobs for cooler times of the day or cooler

seasons of the year. Take rest breaks in cool areas. Add more workers to reduce workload or reduce the

workday.

  • Acclimatization - Gradually adapting to heat will reduce the severity of heat stress.

  • Wearing loose, lightweight clothing - Clothing can affect heat buildup.

  • Salt tablets should not be used - Taking salt tablets can raise blood pressure, cause stomach ulcers, and

seriously affect workers with heart disease.

Provision of Water: Workers shall have access to potable drinking water. Where it is not plumbed or otherwise

continuously supplied, water shall be provided in sufficient quantity at the beginning of the work shift.

Access to Shade: Employees suffering from heat illness or believing a preventative recovery period is needed

shall be provided access to an area with shade that is either open to the air or provided with ventilation or

cooling for a period of no less than five minutes. Such access to shade shall be permitted at all times. Shade

area examples would be offices, shop buildings, or vehicles with air conditioning. When working in remote areas

where shade is not readily available, supervisors shall ensure that an alternative device (canopy, umbrella) is

available.

Acclimatization: Temporary adaptation of the body to work in the heat that occurs gradually when a person is

exposed to it. Acclimatization peaks in most people within four to fourteen days of regular work for at least two

hours per day in the heat.

Heat Illness from the sun: Limiting your exposure to the sun will help to prevent heat illness and it will also help

protect your skin from over-exposure to the sun. If you are working outdoors, you should wear sunscreen, a

light-weight, long-sleeved shirt, and a hat. These will help protect your skin as well as help to cool your body.

Applying sunscreen on a regular basis can increase your protection since it will be washed away with heavy

sweating. Wearing sunglasses can also protect your eyes from the sun

Symptoms and treatment: There are 3 major types of heat illness. They range from mild to severe. Here are the

types of heat-related illnesses, their symptoms and treatment if someone is suffering their effects.

Symptoms Treatment

Heat cramps, muscle spasms in legs or abdomen:

  • move person to a cooler location

  • stretch muscles for cramps

  • give cool water or electrolyte-

  • containing fluid to drink

Heat exhaustion:

  • headaches

  • clumsiness

  • dizziness/lightheadedness/fainting

  • weakness/exhaustion

  • heavy sweating/clammy/moist skin

  • irritability/confusion

  • nausea/vomiting

  • paleness

  • move person to a cooler place (do not leave alone)

  • loosen and remove heavy clothing that restricts evaporative cooling if conscious, provide small amounts of cool water to drink

  • fan person, spray with cool water, or apply a wet cloth to skin to increase evaporative cooling call 911 if not feeling better within a few minutes

Heat stroke:

  • sweating may or may not be present

  • red or flushed, hot dry skin

  • bizarre behavior

  • mental confusion or loss of consciousness

  • panting/rapid breathing

  • rapid, weak pulse

  • possible seizures

  • call 911

  • move person to a cooler place (do not leave alone)

  • cool worker rapidly

  • loosen and remove heavy clothing that restricts evaporative cooling fan person, spray with cool

    water, or

  • apply a wet cloth to skin to increase evaporative cooling

If you feel you have some of these symptoms or if you see a coworker exhibiting some of these symptoms,

immediately report them to your supervisor or manager. When early recognition of heat illness is recognized

and treated—it can keep a bad situation from becoming life-threatening. Follow the treatments mentioned and

remember—if the situation gets worse, immediately call 911.

SAFETY TAKE-AWAY:

Always be on the lookout for signs of heat illness, not only for your own safety, but for anyone you are working with at a jobsite.