Working in Heat & Sunlight

Exposure

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

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. It is important that you take breaks, keep yourself shaded from direct sunlight whenever possible, and to drink plenty of water and electrolytes.

It is also important to keep an eye on each other to make sure no one is displaying key symptoms of a hear related injury. While heat cramps and heat exhaustion 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 identification and immediate intervention.

Mitigating Ultraviolet Radiation

Students should carry sunscreen, sunglasses, and a hat with a large brim in their set kit of personal protective equipment as keeping direct sunlight off of your face and neck is critical. They should also wear loose fitting, breathable, and lightly colored clothing.

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, drink plenty of water and electrolytes. Bring your own water bottle and electrolytes if production is not supplying what is needed.

Heat Cramps

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

Seek immediate medical attention if the symptoms do not go away after restoring fluid and electrolytes levels and resting in a cool, shaded environment for 15 minutes.

Heat Exhaustion

Heat exhaustion can occur when you exert yourself, especially in hot weather and is often accompanied by dehydration. The most common symptoms include:

• Confusion
• Dark-colored urine (a sign of dehydration)
• Dizziness
• Fainting
• Fatigue
• Headache
• Muscle or abdominal cramps
• Nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea
• Pale skin
• Profuse sweating
• Rapid heartbeat

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. Other symptoms may include:

• Throbbing headache
• Dizziness and light-headedness, fainting
• Lack of sweating despite the heat
• Red, hot, and dry skin
• Muscle weakness or cramps
• Nausea and vomiting
• Rapid heartbeat, which may be either strong or weak
• Rapid, shallow breathing
• Behavioral changes such as confusion, disorientation, or staggering
• Seizures
• Unconsciousness

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.