TIP OF THE WEEK
June 18, 2010
Did you know...?
The combination of heat, humidity and physical labor can lead to injuries and fatalities.
As temperatures rise this week, so do concerns about heat-related illnesses. High temperatures, high humidity, sunlight, and heavy workloads increase the likelihood of heat stress. Too much heat can also make workers lose their concentration or become fatigued or irritable and thus increases the chance of accidents and injuries. Understanding how to deal with heat stress can help to prevent or reduce accidents and is important to workers' health and well-being.
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. A worker who becomes irrational or confused or collapses on the job should be considered a heat stroke victim, and medical help should be called immediately.
Nearly 300 Americans die each year to heat exposure. Climate projections indicate that heat related deaths will continue to rise. 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.
For more information about working in the heat please visit OSHA's website at: http://www.osha.gov/ or the CDC's web site at: http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/hotenvt.html.
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FLU SHOTS – We are already receiving inquiries about flu shots for this fall. OHS-COMPCARE will offer seasonal flu shots to clients again in 2010. To be put on the list to be scheduled for an on-site or to learn more please contact client services at 816-561-2105 (option 1) or by email at customerservice@ohscompcare.com.
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***We are now open Saturdays at our Independence location from 9am – 1pm to serve your occupational medicine and urgent care needs. Our Independence location is open 5pm – 9pm Monday – Friday to serve your after hour needs as well***
*Please feel free to forward this information to any member of management in your company who would benefit from it.*
To view the Tip of the Week in Spanish please visit our Tip of the Week library at http://www.ohscompcare.com/totw/.
To learn more about services OHS-COMPCARE has to offer, contact our Client Services
Team at (816) 561-2105 option 1 or by e-mail at customerservice@ohscompcare.com.
You can also visit us at www.ohscompcare.com.
Why choose us? Because OHS-COMPCARE has a physician on call 24/7/365 days a year to respond to our client's needs.
Adult Quick Care
is now on Facebook!
OHS-COMPCARE now featuring Adult Quick Care (Urgent Care Services) has seven (7) area clinical facilities:
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Independence Clinical Facility |
Johnson County Clinical Facility |
St. Joseph Clinical Facility |
Grandview Clinical Facility |
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19000 E. Eastland Center Crt, St. 200 |
10415 Lackman Road |
904 Edmond Street |
13830 S Us Highway 71 |
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Independence, MO 64055 |
Lenexa, KS 66219 |
St. Joseph, MO 64501 |
Grandview, MO 64030 |
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816-478-9299 |
913-495-9905 |
816-233-7702 |
816-761-4664 |
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After Hours Available *Now open Saturday 9am – 1pm |
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KCMO/Broadway Clinical Facility |
KCMO/Front Street Clinical Facility |
Wyandotte County Clinical Facility |
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1650 Broadway |
6501 East Commerce, Suite 110 |
1333 Meadowlark Lane, Suite 200 |
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Kansas City, MO 64108 |
Kansas City, MO 64120 |
Kansas City, KS 66102 |
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816-842-2020 |
816-483-5550 |
913-596-2774 |
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Adult Quick Care provides Urgent Care to Adults and Adolescents Age 14 and Older.
No appointment is necessary at Adult Quick Care.
When you are sick or have a new injury, Adult Quick Care is your affordable, time saving choice for quality care.
To learn more about Adult Quick Care please call 816-559-6320 or visit www.adultquickcare.com.