Prevention | MillerWelds

Safety

Heat Stress Protection

Welders can be exposed to very hot environments all year, especially when temperatures rise during summer months. Understanding the different types of heat stress, symptoms and first aid treatments will Overview help keep your team safe.

Understand and Prevent Heat Stress

 

Know the symptoms
  • Hot, dry skin or profuse sweating
  • Hallucinations
  • Chills
  • Throbbing headache
  • High body temperature
  • Confusion/dizziness
  • Slurred speech

First Aid
  • Call 911
  • Move worker to a cooler area
  • Loosen or remove clothing
  • Spray the worker with room temperature water
  • Apply cold packs to the groin, neck and armpits
  • Do not fully immerse in water





If someone is experiencing heat stroke, do not have them drink water, as they could aspirate and have further complications.

Normal Body Cooling


When body temperature rises, blood is pumped to the skin




Sweating Increases (evaporative cooling)




Heart rate increases to speed up blood flow




Core temperature drops and stabilizes




Recommended Water Consumption:  8 ounces every 15-20 minutes during moderate activity in moderately hot conditions.