June 8, 2007
Did you know...?
Heat disorders generally involve a reduction or collapse in the body’s ability to shed heat by circulatory changes and sweating.
From construction workers to fire fighters to line cooks, employees often find themselves working in hot and humid environments. Being uncomfortable in the work environment is the least of these employees concerns. Those employees who must face working conditions that have high air temperatures, radiant heat sources, and high humidity, who have physical contact with hot objects or who perform strenuous physical activities face additional and generally avoidable hazards to their safety and health.
Heat disorders generally arise when the body’s ability to shed heat is reduced. Heat disorders can range from sunburn, heat cramps, heat exhaustion, to heatstroke. Treatment for all heat disorders includes removing the employee from the heat source and providing treatment immediately. Many heat disorders can be prevented if proper precautions are followed.
Employers must have a working knowledge of heat stress and heat related illnesses in order to protect employees. To dissipate heat, the human body varies the rate and depth of blood circulation. Blood is circulated closer to the skins surface to allow water to be lost as sweat through the skin and sweat glands. Evaporation of the sweat allows the body to dissipate heat. Clothing such as personal protective equipment, coveralls, and fire-retardant gear, may prevent an individual from sweating thus interfering with evaporation and cooling of the body.
Prevention of heat disorders includes acclimating to the heat. Someone who is not accustomed to working in the heat should take a week or two to get used to doing so. Even experienced workers should acclimate to the hot conditions by limiting their time in hot working conditions to 50% of their shift on the first day, 60% of the shift on the second day, 80% of the shift on the third day and a full shift by the forth day. Inexperienced workers should start with limiting their time in the hot working conditions to 20% the first day and gradually increase each by 20% until a full shift can be completed in the hot working conditions safely. Educate employees to dress in layers and to remain adequately hydrated. Employers can also protect employees by assessing job demands and monitoring employees on hot days or in hot workplaces. Increase break frequency and encourage employees to use the buddy system to watch for symptoms of heat disorders in coworkers. Train employees to recognize the signs and symptoms of heat stress.
Nearly 240 Americans die each year to heat exposure. Of all weather conditions – earthquakes, floods, lightning, and tornados - only extreme cold takes more lives than extreme heat exposure. Educate and encourage employees to take precaution in the heat.
To learn more about OHS-COMPCARE contact our Client Services Team at (816) 561-2105 or by e-mail at customerservice@ohscompcare.com. You can also visit us at www.ohscompcare.com.
*Please feel free to forward this information to any member of management in your company who would benefit from it.*
OHS-COMPCARE has eight (8) area clinical facilities:
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Blue Springs Clinical Facility |
Independence Clinical Facility** |
Johnson County Clinical Facility |
St. Joseph Clinical Facility |
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801 NW St. Mary’s Drive |
19000 E. Eastland Center Crt, St. 200 |
10415 Lackman Road |
904 Edmond Street |
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Blue Springs, MO 64104 |
Independence, MO 64055 |
Lenexa, KS 66219 |
St. Joseph, MO 64501 |
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816-224-9121 |
816-478-9299 |
913-495-9905 |
816-233-7702 |
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After Hours Available |
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KCMO/Broadway Clinical Facility |
KCMO/Front Street Clinical Facility |
Wyandotte County Clinical Facility |
Grandview Clinical Facility |
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1650 Broadway |
6501 East Commerce, Suite 110 |
1333 Meadowlark Lane, Suite 200 |
13830 S Us Highway 71 |
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Kansas City, MO 64108 |
Kansas City, MO 64120 |
Kansas City, KS 66102 |
Grandview, MO 64030 |
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816-842-2020 |
816-483-5550 |
913-596-2774 |
816-761-4664 |
** OHS-COMPCARE is pleased to announce the relocation of our Independence Clinical Facility to a bigger, more efficient facility! Our new facility is located next door to Medical Imaging in the Eastland Center Court (19000 E. Eastland Center Court, Suite 200, Independence, MO 64055).
Please plan to join us at our Open House on June 12th from 3-7pm. RSVP’s are requested and can be made to our Client Services Team at (816) 561-2105 or by email @ customerservice@ohscompcare.com.