Summer Tips

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Here are some tips to identify heat relatedillness and measures to be taken in case one gets itHIGH TEMPERATURE + HIGH HUMIDITY +PHYSICAL WORK = HEAT ILLNESSHeat Illness has two categories1. HeatExhaustion 2. HeatStroke Heat ExhaustionWhat are the symptoms?HEADACHES; DIZZINESS OR LIGHT-HEADEDNESS; WEAKNESS; MOOD CHANGES SUCH ASIRRITABILITY, CONFUSION, OR THE INABILITY TO THINK STRAIGHT; UPSET STOMACH;VOMITING; DECREASED OR ARKCOLORED URINE; FAINTING OR PASSING OUT; AND PALE,CLAMMY SKINWhat should you do?Act immediately. If not treated, heat exhaustionmay advance to heat stroke or death. Move the victim to a cool, shaded areato rest. Don’t leave the person alone. If symptoms include dizziness orlight-headedness, lay the victim on his or her back and raise the legs6 to 8 inches. If symptoms include nausea or upset stomach, lay thevictim on his or her side. Loosen and remove any heavy clothing. Have the person drink cool water(about a cup every 15 minutes) unless sick to the stomach. Cool the person’sbody by fanning and spraying with a cool mist of water or applying a wetcloth to the person’s skin. Call for emergency help if the person doesnot feel better in a few minutes. Heat Stroke–A MedicalEmergency 2.1 What are the symptoms?DRY, PALE SKIN WITH NO SWEATING; HOT, RED SKIN THAT LOOKS SUNBURNED; MOODCHANGES SUCH AS IRRITABILITY, CONFUSION, OR THE INABILITY TO THINK STRAIGHT;SEIZURES OR FITS; AND UNCONSCIOUSNESS WITH NO RESPONSE What should you do?Move the victim to a cool, shaded area.Don’t leave the person alone. Lay the victim on his or her back. Moveany nearby objects away from the person if symptoms include seizures orfits. If symptoms include nausea or upset stomach, lay the victim onhis or her side. Loosen and remove any heavy clothing.Have the person drink cool water(about a cup every 15 minutes) if alert enough to drink something, unlesssickto the stomach.Cool the person’s body by fanning andspraying with a cool mist of water or wiping the victim with a wetcloth or covering him or her with a wet sheet.Place ice packs under the armpitsand groin area.2.3 How can you protectyourself and your coworkers?Learn the signs and symptoms of heat-inducedillnesses and how to respond.Train your workforce about heat-inducedillnesses.Perform the heaviest work during the coolestpart of the day.Build up tolerance to the heat and thework activity slowly.Drink plenty of cool water, about a cupevery 15 to 20 minutes.Wear light, loose-fitting, breathable clothing,such as cotton.Take frequent, short breaks in cool, shadedareas to allow the body to cool down.Avoid eating large meals before workingin hot environments.Avoid alcohol or beverages with caffeine.These make the body lose water and increase the risk for heat illnesses.Regards****************************************** " Don't think it is SafeMake sure it is Safe " P. Rajmohan,HSE Cell,pricol Ltd,132,Ooty main road,Coimbatore - 641 020.Off: +91 422 4331532Fax: + 91 422 4331122Email: rajmohanp@...*****************************************