Heat-Related Illness
Heat-Related Illness
Heat-Related Illness
Heat illness occurs when the body’s means of controlling its internal temperature starts to fail. The body
cools itself by blood flow to the skin’s surface and by sweating. The sweat evaporates from the body which
results in a cooling effect. Keep in mind that excessive sweating can lead to dehydration; therefore, drink
plenty of water (a cup every 15-20 minutes). Don’t wait until you are thirsty.
Clothing, PPEs, and humidity can restrict sweat evaporation and not allow the body to cool. The body
continues to produce heat but can’t release the heat, so the deep body temperature rises. Eventually
the body’s control mechanism starts to fail. When this occurs, symptoms of heat illness start to appear.
Watch out for yourself and your co-workers. If you, or a co-worker, experience symptoms, notify
your supervisor and/or call 911 immediately, and cool the person. Cool the person by moving to a
shaded area, fanning, spraying with cool water, remove restrictive clothing, provide cool drinking water,
etc. COOL THE PERSON! It is important to get treatment before harmful damage is done to the body.
If you are uncertain of the location of available drinking water, please ask your foreman.