Heat Index and Risk Factors

 

The National Weather Service Heat Index shown above shows the risk for a relatively healthy person who is not exerting them self. Other environmental and personal risk factors can increase the likelihood of suffering a heat related index.

Environmental Factors that Increase Risk

• No Breeze
• Hot Breeze
• Radiant Heat (like being in direct sunlight)
• Conductive Heat (like heat emanating from mechanical equipment) 

Personal Factors that Increase Risk

• Age
• Health
• Medications
• Drug and Alcohol Use

Other Factors that Increase Risk

• How well the person is acclimated to the heat
• How well we are hydrated
• Amount of physical exertion
• Personal Protective Equipment or clothing that restricts the body's ability to evaporate sweat

1. Acclimatization

It takes up to 14 days to get used to temperature changes.

Any time the temperature is more than 10°F hotter than what you have been used to over the past 5 days, take the time to properly acclimate.

During the acclimatization period, take more frequent rest breaks in shaded or cool areas and limit the amount of physical exertion.

2. Drink Water

Drink four cups (1 quart) of water every hour. Avoid decaffeinated and alcoholic beverages. Sports drinks can help add electrolytes but they are not as effective as water is at hydrating the body so, if you drink sports drinks, use them as supplements to the four cups of water.

3. Rest in Shaded or Cool Areas

Take cool down breaks in shaded or cool areas at least every two hours and more frequently if you are not acclimated to the heat.

Heat Illness Signs, Symptoms, and First Aid

NOTE: No Yaskawa associate shall perform work or any hazardous activities including working with live electrical power, driving, or operating powered tools, if they are showing any signs of potential heat illness.

Does the person exhibit any of the following symptoms?

• Red, hot, and dry skin
• Lack of sweating despite the heat
• Behavioral changes such as confusion or disorientation
• Signs of difficult breathing, seizures, or unconsciousness

Yaskawa Policy for Working in the Heat

Associates who work in outdoor locations or in other work sites where the environmental risk factors for heat illness are present are are at risk for developing heat related illnesses if they do not protect themselves appropriately.

Yaskawa America's Heat Illness Prevention Policy applies to all Yaskawa associates and locations, with the most likely affected areas being:

1. Associates performing field service in high heat regions, and
2. Associates working in heat testing laboratories.

 Yaskawa's full Heat Illness Prevention Policy is located in Yaskawa's Safety Policies and Programs found at www.YaskawaSafety.com.

Field Service Managers and Supervisors

1. Allow associate time to acclimate

Acclimating to high heat areas can take between 4 and 14 days. Since the nature of field service work often does not allow for proper acclimatization, it is critical that associates drink at least 4-cups of water every hour and take at least a 15-minute rest break in shade or a cool area every two hours (or whenever they feel any signs of heat illness)

If the temperature exceeds 95°F, associates must communicate with their supervisor (or representative) at least every two hours for remote monitoring.

2. Provide access to water

Yaskawa provides associates with clean water at no expense to the associate. Since field service associates work remotely, field service associates must being water with them. Field service associates must never assume water will be available at the worksite. Associates can either bring water from a Yaskawa home location, purchase water with a Yaskawa credit card, or purchase water and get reimbursed through submitting an expense report.

Associates must drink 4-cups (1 quart) of water every hour when temperatures are 80°F or above. Assume the job will take twice the amount of time expected to ensure the associate has enough water at the work site.

Caffinated beverages or soft drinks are not a substitute for water

3. Provide access to shade or other means to cool down

The shade from vehicles and electric enclosures is not sufficient to provide cooling. If you cannot access shade from a building, trees, or an awning, associates can sit in car with air conditioning on. It may be necessary to drive the car to get sufficient air conditioning.

4. Report and signs and symptoms of heat illness

During the pre-work safety briefing, discuss heat illness prevention methods with the customer representative. Monitor each other for signs and symptoms of heat illness.

Associates must report to their supervisor and the customer if either the associate or the customer representative show any signs of heat illness. Associate MUST NOT WAIT until multiple signs occur. Heat illness can progress rapidly.

5. Training associates

Associates who work outdoors in high heat regions must complete Yaskawa's Heat Illness Prevention Training annually.

Associates must notify their supervisor or EHS@Yaskawa.com if they have any questions regarding any information in the training or any other questions about heat illness prevention.

Cold Related Emergencies

Mild Hypothermia

Severe Hypothermia

Immersion Hypothermia

Frostbite 

For an otherwise healthy person, hypothermia (low body temperature) can occur in dry temperatures as high as 50°F  and in water that is 70° F.

CAUTION

Hypothermia may mask more severe medical conditions. Always monitor breathing and look for signs of bleeding. 

Mild Hypothermia

 Someone suffering from mild hypothermia may exhibit one or more of these symptoms:

• Shivering
• Cold, pale, or blue-gray skin
• Lack of interest or concern (apathy)
• Poor judgment
• Mild unsteadiness in balance or walking
• Slurred speech
• Numb Hands and fingers
• Problems performing tasks 

First Aid for Mild Hypothermia

1. Call 911 (conditions can quickly deteriorate)
2. Move the person to a warm, dry area
3.  Remove wet clothing, shoes, and socks
4. Have the person lay down and cover them with layers of blankets or towels. Place a vapor barrier, such as a plastic bag, over the person making sure to keep it free from the face
5.  If alert, offer a warm (not hot) non-alcoholic beverage
6. Place warm bottles, hot packs, or hand warmers in armpits, groin area, and along the sides of the chest. 

Severe Hypothermia

 Someone suffering from severe hypothermia may exhibit one or more of these symptoms:

• The trunk of the body is cold to the touch
• Muscles become rigid
• Pulse rate is slow
• Breathing is slow and shallow
• Weakness or sleepiness
• Confusion
• Loss of consciousness
• Shivering may stop if body temperature drops below 90°F 

First Aid for Severe Hypothermia

1. Call 911 (This is a Medical Emergency)
2. Continue to monitor breathing. Begin CPR if necessary
3.  Move the person to a warm, dry area
4. Have the person lay down and cover them with layers of blankets or towels. Place a vapor barrier, such as a plastic bag, over the person making sure to keep it free from the face
5. DO NOT try other rewarming techniques unless instructed to do so by 911 dispatch. Rewarming too rapidly can cause cardiac arrest.

Immersion Hypothermia

 Water temperatures below 70°F or below can cause immersion hypothermia. Water conducts heat away from the body 25 times faster than air and wind alone.

These symptoms can be those of mild or severe hypothermia. Treat the same as severe hypothermia. 

First Aid for Immersion Hypothermia

1. Call 911 (This is a Medical Emergency)
2. Continue to monitor breathing. Begin CPR if necessary
3.  Move the person to a warm, dry area
4. Remove wet clothing, shoes, and socks
5. Thoroughly dry the person 
6. Have the person lay down and cover them with layers of blankets or towels. Place a vapor barrier, such as a plastic bag, over the person making sure to keep it free from the face
7. DO NOT try other rewarming techniques unless instructed to do so by 911 dispatch. Rewarming too rapidly can cause cardiac arrest.

Frostbite

Frostbite is an irreversible condition in which ice crystals form between cells causing the skin to freeze.

Symptoms include:

 

• Numbness in the affected area
• Tingling or stinging in the affected area
• Red, white, bluish-white, or grayish skin with hard or waxy looking skin
• Clumsiness due to joint and muscle stiffness

 First Aid for Frostbite

• Move the person to a warm place
• Seek medical attention
• Remove constrictive clothing and jewelry that could impair circulation
• Place dry, sterile gauze between fingers and toes to absorb moisture
• Elevate the affected area to reduce pain and swelling