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Page 15 of 22 1.3.5. Heat Stress Your body cools itself by sweating - normally that works just fine unless the heat in your body builds up so much that your body can’t cool itself. This can occur when: ➢ You’re doing physical labor. ➢ You’re wearing gear. ➢ You’re in the sun too long. Know The Risks Environmental risk factors are the working conditions that create the possibility that heat illness may occur. Some things that can heat your body: ➢ Air temperature ➢ Radiant heat ➢ Air movement ➢ Conductive heat sources Some things that can limit how well your body can sweat and cool itself: ➢ High relative humidity ➢ Limited air movement ➢ Protective clothing and equipment that does not “breathe” Metabolic heat adds to your heat burden depending on: ➢ How hard you’re working in the heat ➢ If you are using personal protective equipment Personal risk factors are your characteristics that may increase your risk for heat illness: ➢ Younger people are less susceptible ➢ People in good health have less risk ➢ Alcohol, caffeine, and soft drinks increase risk of dehydration ➢ Water consumption lessens the risk ➢ Certain prescriptions can affect the body's water retention or have other effects What Can You Do? ➢ Acclimatization People need time for their bodies to adjust to working in heat – to acclimate. Usually, the first few days of hot weather are the worst, and then the body begins to adjust. You should be especially careful for the first 4 to 10 days – limiting work in the heat to two hours at first and increasing the time gradually or working during cooler hours. This is really important at the beginning of the hot season, if you’ve been away from work for a while (out sick, on vacation, etc.), or if you’ve just moved from a cooler area. Be especially careful during heat waves, and be sure to report any sign of illness to your supervisor.