Working in Heat & Sunlight

Exposure

Welcome to the Sunshine State! It’s important to take extended exposure to sunlight seriously as ultraviolet radiation can cause a variety of minor and major injuries if left untreated. Working day-exteriors under the Florida sun can be taxing and sunburns can occur quickly. Even in cold temperatures the sunlight can burn you unexpectedly.

Additionally, working in Florida’s high ambient temperatures and humidity puts a lot of stress on your body’s ability to manage its core temperature. When zeroed in on your production tasks it can be easy to push yourself too hard and ignore the signs that your body is being overwhelmed.

Stay Hydrated & Take Breaks

It is important that you take breaks, keep yourself shaded from direct sunlight whenever possible, and to drink plenty of water and electrolytes. Bring your own water bottle and electrolytes if production is not supplying what is needed.

Mitigating Ultraviolet Radiation

Students should carry sunscreen, sunglasses, and a hat with a large brim in their set kit of personal protective equipment, and use these items whenever working outside, as keeping direct sunlight off of your face and neck is critical. They should also wear loose fitting, breathable, and lightly colored clothing to help reduce the chances of overheating.

Take the necessary precautions to avoid burns to your skin and damage to your eyes. You are only young once.

Heat Related Injuries

The best was to avoid heat related injuries is to stay out of the sun whenever possible. It is also important to keep an eye on each other to make sure no one is displaying key symptoms of a heat related injury. Below is a list of heat related injuries to keep an eye out:

Heat Cramps

Heat cramps are painful muscle spasms that happen when your body gets too hot and loses electrolytes through ecessive sweating. Heat cramps can be an early indicator of a more serious heat related injury.

If symptoms do not clear after taking a 15-minute break in a cool, shaded area and drinking water and electrolytes; please seek immediate medical attention. When in doubt, always seek immediate medical attention.

Heat Syncope (Fainting)

Heat syncope is caused by a lack of adequate blood supply to the brain, usually as the result of dehydration and lack of acclimatization to work in warm/humid weather.

Heat Exhaustion

Heat exhaustion can occur when you exert yourself, especially in hot weather and is often accompanied by dehydration casued by excessive sweating and/or the lack of drinking fluids.

If you, or someone else, have symptoms of heat exhaustion it is essential to stop working, immediately
get out of the heat, and attempt the following treatments:

• Rest in a cool and shady, preferably air-conditioned space.
• Drink plenty of fluid and electrolytes.
• Avoid caffeinated and alcoholic drinks.
• Remove any tight or unnecessary clothing.
• Take a cool shower, bath, or sponge bath.
• Apply other cooling measures such as fans or ice towels.

If the above measures fail to provide relief within 15 minutes, seek immediate medical attention.

Do not continue to work after suffering from heat exhaustion, even if you feel recovered. Your potential for overheating again increases dramatically once you have experienced a heat-related illness. It may take over a week of staying cool and rested to fully recover from heat exhaustion. Consult a doctor for medical advice.

Heat Stroke

Heat stroke is a life-threatening condition in which heat overwhelms your body’s ability to manage its temperature. This results from prolonged exposure to high temperatures, usually in combination with dehydration. It is the most serious form of heat-related illness and should be treated as a medical emergency.

The principal symptom of heat stroke is a core body temperature above 104 degrees Fahrenheit but ceasing to sweat while in a hot environment is also a common first sign.

If you suspect that you, or someone else, have symptoms of heat stroke you should immediately CALL 911 and provide first aid until paramedics arrive (such as treatments used for heat exhaustion list above).

Heat stroke can cause permanent damage to internal organs or even kill you if not properly treated.

Symptoms of Heat Injuries

The following symptoms are indicators that you may be experiencing a heat related injury:

• Discomfort
• Headache
• Fatigue
• Loss of coordination
• Vomiting
• Seizures
• Fainting
• Blurry vision
• Confusion
• Dizziness
• Irritability
• Poor concentration
• Muscle pain/cramps
• Lack of sweating or excessive sweating
• Altered behavior

Summary

While most heat-related injuries are not a dangerous as a heat stroke, they are not something to be taken lightly as it can quickly escalate to something more serious without proper identification and immediate intervention.

Safety Bulletin

Students should also familiarize themselves with the guidelines in the Industry-Wide Labor-Management Safety Committee Safety Bulletin #35 – Safety Considerations for the Prevention of Outdoor Heat Illness.