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General Precautions. Precautions to prevent heat stress will include work/rest cycles so that rest periods are taken before excessive fatigue occurs; regular intake of water to replace Table 1 that lost from sweating. Work/rest cycles will be based on monitoring the heart rate (pulse) of each individual worker. Rest breaks will be long enough to reduce the heart rate (HR) below levels calculated according to the following method: 1. Workers will initially determine their resting HR prior to starting work activities. 2. At the start of the first rest period, workers will determine their initial HR. This initial HR should not exceed the individual's age-adjusted maximum HR, which equals [(0.7)(220 - age in years)]. At 1 minute into the rest period, the recovery HR will be determined. The recovery HR should not exceed 110 beats per minute. 3. If the initial HR exceeds the age-adjusted maximum HR, or the 1-minute recovery HR is greater than 110 beats per minute, then the next work period will be decreased by 10 minutes. An initial work/rest cycle of 1 hour work and 15 minutes rest is recommended for protection of staff when the heat stress hazard is high. The recommended cycle will be adjusted up or down based upon worker monitoring, environmental conditions, and the judgement of the SSO. At any time, field team members recognize the signs or symptoms of heat stress prior to a scheduled rest period, they will notify the SSO immediately in order that a rest period can be called. Heat stress due to water loss can be prevented. To prevent dehydration,water intake must approximate sweat loss. Water intake guidelines are as follows: 1. The sense of thirst is not an adequate indicator of water replacement needs during heat exposure. Therefore, water must be replaced at prescribed intervals. a. Before work begins, drink two 8-ounce glasses of water. b. During each rest period, drink at least two 8-ounce glasses of water. 2. Plain water, served cool, is excellent. An adequate supply of drinking water (at least 1 gallon per person per day) and clean cups will be readily available (i.e., at the support vehicle) to provide water during rest periods. 3. Adding salt to water is not recommended. However, other fluids, in addition to water, could include fruit juices and diluted electrolyte replacement drinks (diluted 3:1 with water). Do not use salt tablets! Heat stress, if not prevented, results in heat stress illnesses. Two critical illnesses, if not recognized and treated immediately, can become life-threatening. These are heat exhaustion and heat stroke. Heat exhaustion will result if the prevention measures described above are not implemented. Ignoring the signs and symptoms of heat exhaustion will lead to the development of heat stroke. Heat stroke is an immediate, life-threatening condition that results because the body's heat regulating mechanisms shut down, and the body cannot cool itself sufficiently. As 6 0151/9TE MOS\2092\2092-131 W-GPCDOC