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Covering Some of the Hazards of
the Summer Months
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M Sun exposure M Allergies
M Heat related M Wildfires
illnesses M Poisonous Plants
M Severe Storms M Poisonous Animals
M Tornadoes M Interference with
M Lightning Storms PPE
M Insects M Fatigue and
M Stinging Insects Exhaustion
6 6
M As temperatures rise, so does the
stress on your body.
M Two critical actions can help you battle
the heat.
± Acclimation to the heat.
± Consumption of water.
M These two actions can help the most.
M 6our body reacts to heat by circulating
blood and raising your skin's
temperature. The excess heat is then
released through the skin by sweating.
M Physical activity can limit the amount of
blood that flows to the skin to release
heat.
M Sweating can also maintain a stable
body temperature if the humidity level is
low enough to permit evaporation and if
the fluids and salts you lose are
adequately replaced.
M When your body cannot release heat, it
stores it. This raises your core
temperature and heart rate putting your
health at risk.
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M Many factors can cause unbalances in
your body¶s ability to handle heat.
± Age
± Weight
± Fitness
± Medical condition
± Diet
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M Heat stress is a serious hazard in the workplace as
well as at home.
M Excessive heat can place an abnormal stress on
your body.
M When your body temperature rises even a few
degrees above normal (which is about 98.6
degrees Fahrenheit) you can experience
± muscle cramps
± become weak
± disoriented
± dangerously ill
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M Temperature
M Humidity
M Movement of Air or lack of air
movement
M The radiant temperature of the
surroundings
M Clothing
M Physical activity
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M Heat Stress will reduce your work
capacity and efficiency.
M Signs of heat stress include:
± Tiredness
± Irritability
± Inattention
± Muscular cramps.
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M If you are:
± Overweight
± Physically unfit
± Suffer from heart conditions
± Drink too much alcohol
± Are not used summer temperatures
M 6ou may be at greater risk of heat
stress and should seek and follow
medical advice.
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M Also known as prickly heat, occurs
when people are constantly exposed to
hot and humid air, causing a rash that
can substantially reduce the ability to
sweat.
M Heat rash is not just a nuisance
because of discomfort, but by reducing
the ability to sweat, the ability to tolerate
heat is reduced.
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M Mental confusion M Convulsions or
M Delirium coma
M Chills M A body temperature
M Dizziness of 105 degrees F or
higher
M Loss of
consciousness M Hot, dry skin that
may be red, mottled
or bluish
M A strong fast pulse.
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M The heat index table was developed by
the Weather Service.
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M The power of the sun can feel good
when emerging from the Winter blahs.
M Caution must be observed when
exposure to the sun is frequent and
intense.
M Health conditions and problems can
arise from too much sun exposure.
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M Exposure to UV radiation can lead to
skin cancer. The three most common:
± Basal Cell
± Squamous Cell
± Melanoma
M Receiving one or two blistering
sunburns before the age of 18 at least
doubles an individual's risk for
developing melanoma. (AAD, 1994).
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M Eye Damage from UV radiation
M Long exposure to sunlight can lead to
eye problems later in life, such as
cataracts.
M Another potential effect of UV radiation
is a "burning" of the eye surface, called
"snow blindness" or photokeratitis from
sunlight.
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M Snow Blindness effects usually
disappear within a couple of days, but
may lead to further complications later
in life.
M UVB damage to the eyes is also
cumulative, so it is never too late for
people to start protecting their eyes.
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M Repeated exposure to the sun can
cause premature aging effects.
M Sun-induced skin damage causes
wrinkles and furrows, easy bruising,
brown or ³liver spots´ on the skin.
M Because this exposure in cumulative,
protection can never be to late.
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M Scientists believe sunburns can alter the
distribution and function of disease-fighting
white blood cells in humans for up to 24
hours after exposure to the sun.
M Repeated overexposure to UV radiation can
cause more damage to the body's immune
system.
M Mild sunburns can directly suppress the
immune functions of human skin where the
sunburn occurred, even in people with dark
skin.