The 4 Stages of Heat Stress

As temperatures rise, so do the risks of heat-related illnesses. This is especially true for GIW crewmembers working in and around the foundry.

This summer, like every season, we want you to stay as safe as possible. With that in mind, we encourage you to take precautions to prevent heat-related health problems. These include staying hydrated, wearing weather-appropriate clothing, and preventing overexertion and excessive sun or heat exposure.

Unfortunately, even with safety measures like these in place, heat stress can still happen. It manifests in several different stages, which tend to progressively get worse the longer they are ignored. Being aware of each stage and symptom can help you stop heat stress before it reaches a dangerous — and even deadly — level.

Be on the lookout for these four heat-related illnesses:[sidebar]Not Wearing Your PPE Can Land You in the Hot Seat!
When it’s hot, it can be tempting to take off your PPE. Don’t do it! It may be momentarily cooler, but it’s not worth the risk. Instead, take shorter, more frequent breaks to rehydrate and cool down.[/sidebar]

1. Heat rash — “Prickly heat” bumps typically appear in covered areas where sweat can’t evaporate from skin, including the neck, chest, abdomen, and skin folds.

   First Aid: Keep irritated skin dry and cool, and when possible, encourage airflow by wearing breathable fabrics.

2. Heat cramps — Excessive physical activity and sweating can cause muscles to become tired and dehydrated, which can lead to painful muscle spasms in the abdomen, arms, or legs.

   First Aid: Stop what you’re doing and move to a cool, shady area. Drink plenty of water and rest before returning to physical activity. While heat cramps typically aren’t serious, seek medical attention if they don’t go away.

3. Heat exhaustion — When you lose too much water and salt from perspiring, your body can react with symptoms that include excessive sweating and thirst, dizziness, weakness, blurred vision, headache, cramps, dilated pupils, a rapid pulse, vomiting, or a combination of these warning signs.

   First Aid: Immediately move to a cooler area to sit or lie down. Drink water, and if possible, use ice packs or water-soaked rags to help you get cool. Don’t return to work that day, and if your symptoms don’t improve within an hour, go to the emergency room.

4. Heat stroke — When your body gets so hot that it can no longer regulate its core temperature, a heat stroke can occur. Look for a very high body temperature, seizures, fainting, confusion, and excessive sweating or hot, dry skin.

   First Aid: Because a heat stroke can be deadly, call 911 immediately if you think you or someone you work with is experiencing these symptoms. While you’re waiting for help, try your best to lower the person’s body temperature: Place him or her in a cool, shady area and place ice packs or cold compresses on the armpits, head, and neck. If or when the person is able to drink, encourage water consumption.

If you do find yourself experiencing any of these symptoms, the most important thing to do is move to a cool, shady area and drink plenty of water. However, our hope is that with some careful planning and attentiveness, we can avoid all of these heat-related illnesses at GIW.