Laserfiche WebLink
' Neil O.Anderson &Associates HASP Page 5 of 21 <br /> ' March 18, 2014 <br /> performance. Increased body temperature and physical discomfort promote irritability and <br /> other emotional states that can cause workers to overlook safety procedures and divert their <br /> attention from hazardous tasks. <br /> ' Because the field work is planned for late summer, heat hazards may be of concern for the <br /> project. <br /> ' 6.2.2 Health Problems <br /> Heat stress, heat-related illness, and heat-related disorders are three terms used <br /> ' interchangeably to express health problems associated with exposure to hot environments. <br /> Heat stress is the term used herein. <br /> ' Excessive exposure to a hot work environment can bring about a variety of heat-induced <br /> disorders. Several of the more common disorders, in decreasing order of severity, are briefly <br /> described below: <br /> Heat Stroke <br /> ' Heat stroke, a true life-threatening emergency, has mortality ranging from 20% to 70%. Heat <br /> stroke is sometimes called sunstroke, although the sun is not required for its onset. The <br /> condition results when the heat-regulating mechanisms of the body break down and fail to cool <br /> the body sufficiently. The body becomes overheated, with temperature rising to between 1050 <br /> and 110° F; no sweating occurs in about half the victims. The buildup of heat and inadequate <br /> cooling can damage brain cells and may cause permanent disability or death. Central nervous <br /> system dysfunction is virtually universal at temperatures higher than 113° F. It first becomes <br /> ' apparent as confusion, lethargy, or agitation and may progress to seizure and coma. <br /> There are two basic kinds of heat stroke. Classic heat stroke, in which people lose the ability to <br /> ' sweat, generally affects inactive people who are in hot environments. Exertional heat stroke, in <br /> which victims retain the ability to sweat, usually occurs during periods of physical exertion and <br /> muscle stress. <br /> ' Heat stroke commonly occurs during times of high temperatures combined with high humidity <br /> and low wind velocity. <br /> Some signs and symptom of heat stroke include the following: <br /> Temperature of 105° F or higher <br /> Hot, reddish skin; skin can be wet or dry, since approximately half of all heat stroke <br /> ' victims sweat profusely <br /> Initially constricted pupils, later becoming dilated <br /> • Tremors <br /> Mental confusion and anxiety <br /> Initially deep, rapid breathing that sounds like snoring; breathing becomes shallow and <br /> weak as damage progresses <br /> Headache <br /> Dry mouth <br /> "004 <br /> ' 902 Industrial Way•Lodi,CA 95240-209.367.3701•Fax 209.333.8303 02014 Neil O.Anderson&Associates,Inc. <br />