Too Hot to Handle Mitigating the dangers of heat-related illnesses on the job site By Jason Collins
occurs when the body gets too warm. Typically, nor- mal body temperature tends to be around 98.6 de- grees Fahrenheit, though it can sometimes be a bit higher or lower, varying from person to person. Once body temperature reaches 99 and above, this is con- sidered too warm and may indicate hyperthermia. Of all the heat-related illnesses, the most severe is heat stroke, which can lead to serious and sometimes fatal complications. In early stages, heat-related illnesses can be easy to remedy, but it’s important to be vigilant and know the warning signs of each condition. Heat Cramps The first level of heat-related illness tree workers can experience are heat cramps, which are a sign that your body is starting to get too hot. Symptoms include painful muscle spasms or tightening of the muscles that occur in places like your:
Summer is here, which means working outside in di- rect sunlight and heat for extended periods increases the risk of heat-related illnesses on the job. Similar to securing equipment and following safety procedures, it’s essential to do the same with your health. Approximately 1,220 people die annually in the U.S. from extreme heat , according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. There are quite a few common heated-related injuries and illnesses you can experience in the tree care industry, and the key to avoiding them is knowing how to recog- nize risk factors and early symptoms at the job site. UNDERSTANDING HEAT-RELATED ILLNESS Heat-related illness, also known as hyperthermia, can present itself with many different symptoms and require different treatments. That’s why it’s im- portant to recognize the symptoms so that the right treatment can be started immediately. Heat-related illnesses are serious and can range from mild symp- toms like headaches to more severe symptoms like seizures, coma, and even death.
• Abdomen (belly) • Arms • Hands
Hyperthermia – the opposite of hypothermia –
Working outside in direct sunlight and heat for extended periods increases the risk of heat-related illnesses on the job.
ArborTIMES Summer 2024 | 23
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