Preventing Heat-Related Illness

Sometimes, working in high temperatures or near hot objects is unavoidable. These working conditions can quickly lead to heat stress and heat-related illnesses, which can be life-threatening and thus should be taken very seriously.

Identifying Risk Factors

Some job situations may cause your body temperature to increase for an extended period of time, or expose you to very high temperatures for a short period. Either way, there are potential health risks to working in these conditions.

High temperatures and heat stress can push your body beyond its limits, causing illness and possibly even death, unless precautions are taken. To keep you safe, your body will try to rid itself of excess heat once your blood temperature exceeds 98.6 degrees Fahrenheit. Your body does this in two ways, by varying the rate and amount of blood circulating through your skin and by sweating. Once the temperature of your surroundings reaches the same temperature as your skin, sweating becomes the main way for your body to cool down and maintain steady temperature. However, sweating won’t cool your body down unless the moisture evaporates and is removed from your skin.

Anyone can be at risk of heat-related illnesses no matter how young or fit. However, there are several factors that can affect your ability to handle heat stress, including your age, body fat and fitness, and heat sensitivity. Alcohol and caffeine intake, as well as taking prescription medicines also affect your ability to stay healthy in hot conditions.

So pay close attention to your general health and any medical conditions you may have, as some of these conditions can cause heat illness or may be aggravated by heat. For example, skin disorders such as dermatitis, may limit your ability to sweat when aggravated by heat or moisture while heart and lung diseases may negatively affect your ability to handle heat stress. Diabetes if not properly controlled can lead to dehydration, which can be further aggravated by excess heat. Diarrhea may also lead to dehydration. If you suffer from either of these conditions, you should make sure to drink enough water.