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0 0 <br /> 4.3 Heat Stress Prevention and Monitoring <br /> The initial Site safety meeting will include a basic discussion of heat stress causes and <br /> management if relatively high temperatures are expected. <br /> 4.3.1 Heat Stress Prevention <br /> Heat stress usually is increased by the use of protective clothing, which decreases natural <br /> body ventilation and therefore its cooling capability, and may occur at any time work is <br /> being performed at elevated temperatures with protective clothing. <br /> If the body's physiological processes fail to maintain a normal body temperature because <br /> of excessive heat, a number of symptoms can occur ranging from mild (such as fatigue, <br /> irritability, anxiety, and decreased concentration, dexterity, or movement)to fatal. Because <br /> heat stress is one of the most common and potentially serious hazards that site workers <br /> encounter, regular monitoring and other preventative measures are vital. <br /> Site workers must learn to recognize and treat the various forms of heat stress. The best <br /> approach is to apply preventative heat stress management. In general: <br /> • Workers should drink plenty of fluids, including water and electrolyte <br /> replenishment solutions. <br /> • Provide a cool area for rest breaks. Discourage the use of alcohol in non- <br /> working hours, and discourage the intake of coffee during working hours. <br /> • Take frequent breaks. <br /> • Acclimate workers to Site conditions by slowly increasing workloads. For <br /> example, do not begin Site work activities with extremely demanding <br /> activities. <br /> • Use cooling devices such as ice vests, and vortex tubes to aid natural body <br /> ventilation, if appropriate. Wear cotton clothing, which acts as a wick to help <br /> absorb moisture and protect the skin from direct contact with heat-absorbing <br /> protective clothing. <br /> • Install showers and/or hose-down facilities for workers to reduce body <br /> temperature and cool protective clothing, if necessary. <br /> • Shift work hours to the cooler times of the day (e.g. early morning or late <br /> evening), if possible. <br /> 4.3.2 Heat Stress Monitoring and Work Cycle Management <br /> For strenuous field activities that are part of ongoing Site work activities in hot weather,the <br /> following procedures may be used to monitor the body's physiological response to heat <br /> and to manage the work cycle. These procedures may be instituted, if deemed necessary <br /> by the Site Safety Officer. <br /> ENV4 12 February 2005 <br /> A M E R ) C A PAPG&BPGE-05-01 Stockton MW26R InvestigationWW26 Work Plan\H&S\H&S Plan-2005.doc <br />