Heat Stroke occurs when the body is unable to regulate its temperature. Overheating under the sun could cause your body temperature to rise as high as 106° and is very serious.
More common is Heat Exhaustion, which is a milder form of heat-related illness that could develop after several days of exposure to high temperatures and inadequate or unbalanced replacement of fluids. It is the body’s response to an excessive loss of the water and salt contained in sweat. Those most prone to heat exhaustion are elderly people, people with high blood pressure, and people working or exercising in a hot environment. Some symptoms are heavy sweating, paleness, muscle cramps, dizziness, headache, nausea, weakness or tiredness. Make sure that you are regularly drinking water or other non-alcohol/sugared drinks and know the signs of something that doesn’t seem quite right. Employers are required to provide water to employees who are working in temperatures over 89°.
Here are some links for you to use on this topic:
WR employs Rick Means as Director of Safety & Education who is available to members to help draw up safety plans and suggest topics for safety meetings. Contact him at 360-200-6454, or [email protected]
