The Connection Magazine AIM MUTUAL Spring 2020 | Page 8

HEAT STRESS
Heat Stress: A Hot Topic
IN NEW ENGLAND, we all track the weather, knowing full well
if you don’t like the weather today, stick around and it will change.
This past winter, we had a day of snow followed by 60+ degrees the
next afternoon. This makes for a challenging work environment for
the outdoor worker, supervisor, and business owner. Heat stress,
always a heightened risk in summer, is a year-round concern even
in the Northeast.
Heat stress is an illness caused by exposure to extreme heat
or prolonged exposure to hot environments. Overexertion and
overexposure can also bring on heat stress. It occurs when the
body cannot shed excess heat and cannot cool itself to a healthy
temperature, typically 37° C or 98.6° F.
The National Safety Council reports 162 people in the United
States died from heat-related exposures in 2018 and 503 were
hospitalized. A common cause of heat stress is exposure to the
sun and warm environments. Alcohol, medications, drug use, poor
physical condition, and lack of food can also contribute to heat
stress.
In the workplace, high risk environments for heat stress range
from kitchens, plating shops, and laundry sites to confined spaces
like boiler rooms and crawl spaces. Certain jobs pose higher risks:
• Welders, Police, Fire, and Utility Workers,
• Landscapers, Roofers, and Builders
• Kitchen Workers and Chefs
• Professional Athletes and Food Vendors
Drowning In A Sea Of Blankets
Heat stress can lead to injuries, illness, and even death.
Unchecked, it worsens to heatstroke and extreme exhaustion, a
feeling described as “drowning in a sea of blankets, barely able to
move,” according to a Mayo Clinic report.
Symptoms include lightheadedness, headache, shortness of
breath, increased heart rate, and nausea. Other common indicators
are profuse sweating, confusion, thirst, pale skin, and fainting as
well as cramps caused by low body salts.
Self-care is vital when you experience early warning signs. Find
a cool place, rest, elevate legs, and drink plenty of water or sports
drinks. Loosen clothing and place a wet towel on your neck. If you
don’t feel better in an hour, seek medical attention.
Prevention
It takes up to three weeks for the average worker to acclimate to
hot environments. The first steps in reducing heat stress risk are
to avoid direct sunlight. If possible, wear a vented hat, and hydrate.
We advise employers to adjust work schedules to allow for regular
breaks away from a heat source and to provide protective clothing.
Gloves, eyewear, cooling vests, misting devices, and thermal boots
to protect feet on hot pavement may also be appropriate. Many
Fitbits and Smartwatches can alert people to early symptoms.
Don’t underestimate humidity. We have all heard it’s not the
heat, it’s the humidity, a direct reference to the Heat Index.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the
heat index is a measure of how hot it feels when relative humidity
is factored in along with actual air temperature. For example, the
thermometer may read 96° F, but with relative humidity at 65
percent, it feels like 121° F.
A.I.M. Mutual’s injury prevention staff can help with any questions
employers may have about heat stress risks. Additional resources
including a Heat Safety app and worksite posters are available on
the company’s website.
Relative Humidity (%)
National Weather Service
Heat Index Chart
Temperature (�F)
80 82 84 86 88 90 92 94 96 98 100 102 104 106 108 110
40 80 81 83 85 88 91 94 97 101 105 109 114 119 124 130 136
45 80 82 84 87 89 93 96 100 104 109 114 119 124 130 137
50 81 83 85 88 91 95 99 103 108 113 118 124 131 137
55 81 84 86 89 93 97 101 106 112 117 124 130 137
60 82 84 88 91 95 100 105 110 116 123 129 137
65 82 85 89 93 98 103 108 114 121 128 136
70 83 86 90 95 100 105 112 119 126 134
75 84 88 92 97 103 109 116 124 132
80 84 89 94 100 106 113 121 129
85 85 90 96 102 110 117 126 135
90 86 91 98 105 113 122 131
95 86 93 100 108 117 127
100 87 95 103 112 121 132
Likelihood of Heat Disorders with Prolonged Exposure and/or Strenuous Activity
� Caution � Extreme Caution � Danger � Extreme Danger
THOMAS BOCHART, ASP, CWPC, Injury Prevention & Worksite Wellness Consultant, has worked for
A.I.M. Mutual for 25 years. A professional member of the American Society of Safety Engineers, he
has served in various roles in the Greater Boston chapter, including board member, president, and
committee chair, since 1983. Tom holds a B.S. degree in Civil Engineering from Fairleigh Dickinson
University and has previous safety experience in the construction, defense, and telecommunications
fields. He has expertise in OSHA compliance, General Safety and Accident Prevention, Machine
Guarding, Industrial Hygiene, Accident Investigation and Safety Training, and Ergonomics. He is an
Associate Safety Professional and Certified Wellness Program Coordinator.
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