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Site Health and Safety Plan Page 30 <br />Heat <br />Exhaustion <br />Heavy sweating; Extreme <br />weakness or fatigue; Dizziness, <br />confusion; Nausea; Clammy, <br />moist skin; Pale or flushed <br />complexion; Muscle cramps; <br />Slightly elevated body <br />temperature; Fast and shallow <br />breathing. Heat exhaustion is the <br />body's response to an excessive <br />loss of the water and salt, usually <br />through excessive sweating. <br />Workers most prone to heat <br />exhaustion are those that are <br />elderly, have high blood pressure, <br />and those working in a hot environment. <br />Have them rest in a cool, shaded or air- <br />conditioned area. Have them drink <br />plenty of water or other cool, <br />nonalcoholic beverages. Have them <br />take a cool shower, bath, or sponge <br />bath. <br />Heat <br />Cramps <br />Muscle pain or spasms usually in <br />the abdomen, arms, or legs. Heat <br />cramps usually affect workers <br />who sweat a lot during strenuous <br />activity. This sweating depletes <br />the body's salt and moisture <br />levels. Low salt levels in muscles <br />causes painful cramps. Heat <br />cramps may also be a symptom <br />of heat exhaustion. <br />Stop all activity, and sit in a cool place. <br />Drink clear juice or a sports beverage. <br />Do not return to strenuous work for a <br />few hours after the cramps subside <br />because further exertion may lead to <br />heat exhaustion or heat stroke. Seek <br />medical attention if any of the following <br />apply: <br />The worker has heart <br />problems. The worker is on a <br />low-sodium diet. <br />The cramps do not subside within one <br />hour. <br /> <br />7.2 Cold Stress <br />Adverse climate conditions, primarily cold, are important considerations in planning and <br />conducting site operations. Cold-related illnesses include hypothermia, frost-bite, and trench <br />foot, with severe hypothermia being the most dangerous. The effects of ambient <br />temperature can cause physical discomfort, loss of efficiency, and personal injury, and can <br />increase the probability of accidents. In addition to PPE, insulating cold-protective clothing <br />will also be worn by workers in cold environments. To reduce the possibility of cold-related <br />illness, workers should be aware of signs and symptoms of cold-related illnesses, as well as <br />first aid for these conditions. These are summarized in Table 3.