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HEAT EXHAUSTION NOT JUST A SUMMER PROBLEM

Safety article by Harold Hough Oct/Nov 2008

Don’t underestimate heat exhaustion problems during the fall, spring, and winter. The temperatures may be lower, but the threat still remains. Although we don’t think about heat exhaustion during non-summer months, there are two major factors that can cause problems even in the winter.

MICRO CLIMATE CONDITIONS. It may not be hot according to the weather report, but local conditions may make it much hotter than you realize. First, in an open pit, the walls of the pit can act as a reflector and direct the sun at workers. If they are dressed in warm clothes, it’s quite possible that they could be sweating under those layers of clothes. The same conditions can also occur in an underground mine or in a building.

One problem is the enclosed cabin on heavy equipment. If it’s in the 50s outside, many drivers won’t consider air conditioning or opening windows. They may even consider using the air conditioner to either be wasteful or “sissy.” However, as the sun pours into the cabin, temperatures can rise, especially if the operator is dressed for the freezing temperatures of the early morning.

When temperatures vary during the day, it’s important to dress in layers of clothing that can be taken off or put on as conditions warrant. It’s also important to use air conditioning in enclosed spaces, even during the winter.

NOT DRINKING ENOUGH WATER. If the miner is sweating because their body thinks it’s too hot, then there is a potential problem if they aren’t drinking enough water. Heat exhaustion occurs when the body’s cooling system can’t get rid of the heat fast enough. This can result in dizziness, confusion, nausea, and headaches. The reason the body suffers from heat exhaustion isn’t’ because it can’t take the heat, but because it has run out of coolant. The body needs water to produce the sweat needed to keep us cool. When the body runs out of water, it begins to overheat and internal organs begin to break down. If that isn’t treated, death can occur.

Yet, during the winter, we don’t think about drinking water as much. However, doctors say that the body can produce 2,000 to 5,000 kilocalories of heat per day and a quart of water can only eliminate 580 kilocalories of heat. And, if the temperature next to the skin is above the body’s temperature, the need for cooling increases dramatically. Consequently, if you are working hard and producing heat that is being trapped inside your heavy clothes, you can easily use up a lot of water during an 8 hour shift.

Unfortunately, drinking your favorite soft drink doesn’t solve the problem. Experts recommend plain water or sports drinks like Gatorade. They note that drinks with alcohol or caffeine, actually increase urine flow and cut down on the amount of water available for sweating. They also recommend staying away from sports drinks too high in sugar because they slow water movement from the gut to the bloodstream. Flavorings are also important because plain water can get too boring and discourage drinking the amounts required.

Not only does it threaten the lives and health of workers, heat exhaustion leads to lower productivity and can precipitate accidents caused by disorientation. Consequently, it’s necessary for everyone, from mine management to the individual worker to know the problems of heat exhaustion, the symptoms, and ways to avoid it.

The best way to avoid heat related illness is to avoid situations where heat exhaustion can occur. Any mine site should train its workers to make them aware of heat illnesses during the colder months, how to avoid them and how to treat them.

FIGHTING HEAT EXHAUSTION

As much as you will try to avoid heat exhaustion, it may actually happen. If it does, it’s critical to act quickly in order to avoid serious problems.

The first signs of heat exhaustion are irritability, slowed reaction times, upset stomach, dizziness, weakness, a rise in temperature, and a pale or flushed complexion. Although the problem is relatively minor at this time, a person, with these problems can be a danger to themselves or others, especially around heavy equipment. They need to stop their work, take off excessive clothing, find a cool area, and drink some water.

Avoiding heat exhaustion is important because according to doctors, once a person has experienced heat problems, they are more likely to suffer from it during the summer. Consequently, the effort you spend today to avoid the problem will lessen the likelihood that you will have problems in the future.