Heat Stress

crispy crittr

New member
Cleaner Times had an article in the April issue and I received this in an email newsletter this morning. It's always a good idea to keep aware of heat stress this time of year.
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OSHA Offers Heat Stress Protection Tips
OSHA's free Heat Stress Card, available in English and Spanish, lists tips and precautions that can prevent many heat-related deaths and injuries. It offers a quick reference about heat-related injuries, including warning signs, symptoms and early treatment. OSHA points out that taking simple precautions can prevent many heat-related deaths and injuries. In addition, heat-stress related illnesses may be underreported if workers and employers are not familiar with the warning signs.
The Heat Stress Card is available at http://www.osha.gov/Publications/osha3154.pdf.
For more information, visit http://www.osha.gov/media/oshnews/may02/trade20020528.html.

Stay cool folks - literally,
Chuck
 
I think that this is probably the most important subject

Heat Kills. Already this year we lost one person to heat. They were walking over to the water bucket at the time that they dropped into convultions. (their temp at the ed was 108) If you are ever thinking to yourself I'm in trouble, you already are. As the old saying goes, "Let's be careful out there"

Lee
Pressure Washing Pro
Orlando, FL
 
It's really quite simple.

Cover ALL exposed skin with a high SPF sunscreen before you go outside and reapply often.

Wear a wide brimmed hat and UV blocking sunglasses.

Drink lots of COLD water, at least 10 pints per day. Cold water is more quickly absorbed and research is showing it may actually be better for you.

Take frequent, short breaks from the sun and heat throughout the day.

Start earlier in the day and avoid the high stress times from 1100 to 1600 hours.

Wear all of your regular protective gear.

There are 'magic' bandannas available that have crystals in them that provide cooling to your neck and hence the major blood vessels to your brain.
 
In addition to all else said, it is better to wear pants and a light long sleeve shirt during long exposure to the sun. The main reason behind this is that as you sweat, it can stay on the skins surface longer to cool you down and not evaporate so quickly in the sun.
It may sound absurd and be a little uncomfortable at first, but it really does work.
 
Michael about those "magic" bandanna's and other things to wet and keep cool, where can I find stuff like that?

Sporting goods stores, hunting stores?

Anyone know of such places and items please post so all of us can learn about them.

Thanks,

Jon
 
Thanks Steve, nice stuff but to formal looking for me, I would like to find some that are casual looking, simple stuff like one color or the old fashioned bananna look, just red and white or blue and white stuff.

Jon
 
Never, ever drink COLD water during exposure to extreme heat. It can shock your system - very dangerous.
Richard
 
RjTravel is right.

On july 23rd while directing traffic for 7 hours in the Atlanta sun, (used to be a security officer) I had a nasty experience. I had been drinking water but not through out the day (i would take 10 to 12 gulps at a time) due to the fact I was the only officer on duty with no scheduled relief. Not knowing I was already suffering from heat exhaustion I took 10 more gulps of water from a milk jug with frozen water in the bottom 1/3rd and water on top to keep it cold. Approx. 2 minutes later I past out falling into a ditch at the side of the road. I suffered heat exhaustion and a severe strain to my lower spine. Scariest thing I had just opened my pressure washing company. The doctor explained that already suffering from the heat my body went into shock from the cold water and that If I hadnt been wearing a hard hat I would of hurt myself a lot worse. When in the sun drink steadily through out the day and cool water is ok try to stay away from Ice cold.
 
About 5 years ago I was washing trucks on 100+ degree day. I began to get light headed and started seeing stars. I walked over to the water cooler which had plenty of cold water in it. I stuck my head under the spout for about 1 minute soaking it with water. I did this twice with in about 5 minutes. I returned to normal almost immediately.

I can't comment on whether this is a safe practice of not. I just now it worked for me and I believe it kept me from passing out.
 
External application and ingestion are quite different. I too learned the hard way. When a young man, while unloading boxcars during the heat of the day, I kept hydrated at the cold water cooler. When shock caused me to collapse I remained conscious, however I lacked ability to move and was unable to get out of the way of a slow-moving truck. Since that day over 43 years ago I have had many similar workdays, however I learned never to use cold water and have never had a repeat of that incident to this day. A word to the wise.
Richard
 
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