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Heat-Related Illnesses and First Aid Safety in the Workplace

Written by Staff Writer

Industrial worker wearing a red protective uniform, safety glasses and a red hard hat, drinking water from a plastic bottle to stay hydrated under the sun near oil extraction equipment.

Working in hot environments can lead to a range of heat-related illnesses, each with different symptoms and levels of severity. When a worker exhibits unusual symptoms while performing physical labor in high temperatures, it's essential to act quickly, as these conditions can rapidly worsen and even become life-threatening.

Heat-Related Illnesses

There are a wide variety of heat-related illnesses, and understanding the symptoms of each can help you realize when help is needed. If you notice any of these symptoms, it’s essential to provide first aid immediately. However, you should not try to diagnose the illness on your own. Many of these conditions have overlapping symptoms, and it’s possible to be affected by more than one condition at a time.

Heat Stroke

Heat stroke is a medical emergency and one of the most serious heat-related illnesses. Symptoms include confusion, slurred speech, seizures, loss of consciousness and a very high body temperature. The skin may be hot and dry or drenched in sweat, and the heart rate is often rapid.

Heat Exhaustion

Heat exhaustion is a warning sign that the body is struggling to regulate its temperature and causes fatigue, nausea, dizziness, thirst and heavy sweating. Affected individuals may also experience irritability, vomiting, and an elevated heart rate or body temperature.

Heat Cramps

This condition involves painful muscle spasms, usually affecting the legs, arms or abdomen. It typically results from losing too much salt through sweating.

Heat Syncope

Heat syncope is commonly the result of standing too long or rising suddenly in hot conditions. It is characterized by sudden dizziness or fainting, which can indicate reduced blood flow to the brain.

Heat Rash

Also known as prickly heat, heat rash causes clusters of small red bumps on the skin. The rash typically appears in sweat-heavy areas like the neck, upper chest and skin folds.

Rhabdomyolysis (Muscle Breakdown)

A rare but serious condition, rhabdomyolysis can be triggered by extreme physical exertion in the heat. Symptoms include severe muscle pain, weakness and dark-colored or reduced urine output, which can signal possible kidney damage.

Workplace First Aid

When you notice any heat-related symptoms on the job, you must act quickly. The following first aid steps are based on safety guidelines and can help reduce the severity of heat-related illnesses.

  • Take the worker to a cooler location, such as a shaded area or an air-conditioned room.
  • Begin cooling the worker immediately using one or more of the following methods:
    • Place the worker in cold water or an ice bath, if possible. To create an ice bath, simply fill a container large enough for the worker to sit in with water and all available ice. This is the most effective method for rapid cooling.
    • Remove heavy or restrictive clothing, especially protective gear that traps heat.
    • Apply cold packs or wet towels to high-heat areas like the head, neck, underarms, trunk and groin.
    • Use fans to circulate cooler air around the affected worker.
  • Never leave the affected person alone, as symptoms can worsen rapidly without warning.
  • If there is any doubt, call 911.

Signs like confusion, slurred speech or unconsciousness indicate heat stroke, which is life-threatening. Call emergency services immediately and continue cooling efforts until help arrives.

New employees working in hot environments are especially vulnerable. During the first few days of heat exposure, any symptom, no matter how minor, should be treated seriously. Workers should be allowed to rest and receive proper evaluation before continuing their duties.

Additional Reading on First Aid and Safety