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Temperature-Stress Concerns Temperature stress includes heat stress, as well as cold injury. It should be noted that both types of temperature stress could occur simultaneously. The ambient air temperature,wind velocity,humidity,and activity level of the worker, as well as the type of protective equipment employed,are all factors that play a role in producing temperature stresses. Workers will be trained on the signs and symptoms of these forms of temperature stresses and will be encouraged to monitor themselves and others. The human body has a regulator mechanism that maintains the body's core temperature at 98.6 degrees Fahrenheit. The body's energy is devoted to keeping the temperature within a fairly narrow range. When the body overheats,heat loss occurs primarily through evaporation via sweating and by radiant heat loss by dilation of blood vessels in the skin. When body temperature drops, involuntary shivering produces heat while constriction of the blood vessels in the skin reduces radiant heat loss. Protective clothing designed to protect against chemical interferes with the evaporative cooling mechanism. As a result,heat stress can develop rapidly in non-acclimated individuals. Cold stress can occur when the heat produced by intense activity is reduced by the stoppage of work. Chemical protective clothing offers no insulation and little protection against the cold; it does not retain body heat well. The water-saturated atmosphere that can occur within protective clothing loses heat more rapidly than ambient air, thus,heat loss can occur rapidly. During episodes of heavy work, it is possible for a worker to suffer symptoms of heat stress, only to experience cold stress when activity levels decrease or the work stops. Heat Stress There are varying symptoms of heat stress,depending on its severity. Many heat-related problems occur in workers who are unaccustomed to heavy workloads and heat,or who are in poor physical condition. Obesity, alcohol or drug use, age,and the presence of other complicating factors, such as disease, also affect an individual's response to hot environments. Heat stress is a general term used to describe one or more of the following heat-related disabilities and illnesses: Heat Cramps are a condition characterized by painful, intermittent spasms of the voluntary muscles following hard physical work in a hot environment. Cramps usually occur after heavy sweating and often begin at the end of a work shift. Heat Exhaustion is a condition characterized by profuse sweating,weakness, rapid pulse, dizziness,nausea, and headache. The skin is cool and sometimes pale and clamming with sweat. Body temperature is normal or subnormal. Nausea,vomiting and, unconsciousness may occur. I4