Heat Stress in the Workplace
A dampened cooling towel creates a cooling aid which is significantly colder than the ambient air is critical when working in extremely hot temperatures.
Illness and death can be caused by exposure to heat. Heat stroke is the most serious heat illness. Heat exhaustion, heat cramps and heat rash, are other ilnesses and should also be avoided. There are a number of precautions you and your employer should take any time temperatures are high and the job involves physical work.
If you're a Supervisor you should ensure that: • There's plenty of cool fluids with electrolytes close to where the hot work is performed. • You provide shade for breaks when workers need to recover. • You educate your crew on the common signs and ways to prevent heat-related illnesses. • Select a designated person to notify if there is an emergency. • Workers in high or very high/extreme heat index risk levels should be psychologically monitored as necessary.
If you're a Crew Member you should: • Use the buddy system and watch out for others on your team. • Know that if you haven’t worked in the heat for a week or more, your body needs time to adjust. Take more breaks or do less strenuous work during your first weeks. • Rest in shade to cool down. • Drink plenty of cold fluids with electrolytes every 30 minutes. • Wear personal protective gear like hats and light coloured clothing to reduce direct sun exposure. Use absorptive or evaporative cooling accessories to aid in keeping core body.
Heat stress solutions:
One way to reduce the possibility of heat stress is to wear a Chill-Its 6602 cooling towel. It will reduce the effect of heat stress and fight fatigue.
Another solution is to wear a Chill-Its evaporative Cooling Vest: All you have to do is to soak in cold water, and enjoy cooling relief and comfort.
The updated tubular Cool-Its 6602 cooling towel packaging provides an ideal location to store the cooling towel when not in use and keeps the towel clean, pliable and organized in any tool bag or around any jobsite.
Ergodyne's Chill-Its® 6602 Cooling Towel is a convenient, effective solution for those hot, sweaty days on the job. This super-evaporative product also provides a quick solution for absorbing excess sweat.
The Chill-Its 6685 Dry Evaporative Cooling Vest provides a unique heat stress solution, as the cooling vest employs a patented dry evaporative technology. It keeps workers cool and dry during the summer heat. The cooling vest is constructed with an inner lining and an outer shell, the dry vest stays completely dry and durable but – unlike other cooling vests – remains lightweight even in the activation phase.