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Sun safety and heat stress awareness Hydration Matters! UNIVERSITY of NORTHERN COLORADO

Sun safety and heat stress awareness UNIVERSITY of N ORTHERN C OLORADO

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Page 1: Sun safety and heat stress awareness UNIVERSITY of N ORTHERN C OLORADO

Sun safety and heat stress awareness

Hydration Matters!

UNIVERSITY of

NORTHERN COLORADO

Page 2: Sun safety and heat stress awareness UNIVERSITY of N ORTHERN C OLORADO

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Page 3: Sun safety and heat stress awareness UNIVERSITY of N ORTHERN C OLORADO

Working Safely in the Sun

Essentials Fluids

Drink LOTS of water or an electrolyte replacement drink Bring enough to last you the entire day or continuously refill your container

Sunscreen or sun block Apply before you arrive at work Reapply throughout the day

Wear the proper attire Light colored clothes reflect the sun and help to keep you cool Covering your skin will better protect against damaging UV light

Wear a hat Better protects the sensitive skin of your ears, neck and face

Page 4: Sun safety and heat stress awareness UNIVERSITY of N ORTHERN C OLORADO

Sunscreen vs. Sun block Sun block

Sun block is opaque and stronger than sunscreen Able to block a majority of the UVA/UVB rays and radiation from the sun, Sun block's ingredients do not break down rapidly in sunlight so it is unnecessary to

reapply frequently. Sunscreen

Sunscreen is more transparent once applied to the skin Also able to protect against UVA/UVB rays Sunscreen's ingredients break down at a faster rate once exposed to sunlight, allowing

radiation to penetrate the skin. For sunscreen to be more effective frequent reapplication and a higher spf is

recommended. Sun Protection Factor (SPF)

The SPF of a sunscreen is a laboratory measurement of the effectiveness of sunscreen The higher the SPF, the more protection a sunscreen offers against UV-B (the

ultraviolet radiation that causes a sunburn).

Page 5: Sun safety and heat stress awareness UNIVERSITY of N ORTHERN C OLORADO

What are some signs that you are suffering from

heat stress?

Page 6: Sun safety and heat stress awareness UNIVERSITY of N ORTHERN C OLORADO

• Dehydration• Thirst

• By the time your body tells you that you are thirsty you are already mildly dehydrated. • Drinking water at this stage can prevent you from progressing to the more serious kinds

of heat related illnesses.

• Heat cramps: • Cramping in the abdomen, legs or arms• The loss of water and salt from heavy sweating causes cramps. • These cramps can be mild or very painful.

• Heat exhaustion• Dizziness• Headache• Nausea

Signs and symptoms

Page 7: Sun safety and heat stress awareness UNIVERSITY of N ORTHERN C OLORADO

• Heat Stroke or sun stroke• Hot, red and dry skin• Rapid, weak pulse• Rapid, shallow breathing. • Increase in body temperature –can reach as high as 105o F. • Vomiting. • Confusion. • Throbbing headache. • Decreased alertness level or complete loss of consciousness. • Seizures.

Signs and symptoms

This late stage of a heat-related illness is life threatening.

Call 9-1-1 or the local emergency number 

Page 8: Sun safety and heat stress awareness UNIVERSITY of N ORTHERN C OLORADO

First Stage: Dehydration Easily curable with shade, rest and waterMay resume work activities after symptoms subside

Second Stage: Muscle Cramps

Easily curable with rest, massage and water May resume work activities after symptoms subside

Third Stage: Heat exhaustionModerately easy to cure with shade, rest and waterMay or may not be able to resume work

Fourth Stage: Heat Stroke or Sun StrokeLife threatening-Call 9-1-1 immediatelyMay not resume work

Stages of Heat-Related Illnesses

Page 9: Sun safety and heat stress awareness UNIVERSITY of N ORTHERN C OLORADO

How to Carefor Heat Related Emergencies

For Heat Cramps1. Stop activity and rest.2. If the person is fully awake and alert, have him or her drink small amounts of cool

water or a commercial sports drink. 3. Gently stretch the cramped muscle and hold the stretch for about 20 seconds, then

gently massage the muscle. 4. Repeat these steps if necessary. 5. If the victim has no other signals of heat-related illness, the person may resume

activity after the cramps stop.

Page 10: Sun safety and heat stress awareness UNIVERSITY of N ORTHERN C OLORADO

For Heat Exhaustion:1. Get the person to a cooler place and have him or her rest in a comfortable position. 2. If the person is fully awake and alert, give a half glass of cool water every 15

minutes.• Do not let him or her drink too quickly. • Do not give liquids with alcohol or caffeine in them, as they can make

conditions worse. 3. Remove or loosen tight clothing and apply cool, wet cloths such as towels or wet

sheets.4. Get the person into an air conditioned space if possible. 5. Call 9-1-1 or the local emergency number if the person refuses water, vomits or

loses consciousness.

How to Carefor Heat Related Emergencies

Page 11: Sun safety and heat stress awareness UNIVERSITY of N ORTHERN C OLORADO

For Heat Stroke: Heat stroke is a life-threatening situation! Help is needed fast.

1. Call 9-1-1immediately2. Move the person to a cooler place. 3. Quickly cool the body using any means available, including cool water and ice.

• If you have ice packs or cold packs, wrap them in a cloth and place them on each of the victim's wrists and ankles, in the armpits and on the neck to cool the large blood vessels.

4. Wrap wet cloths around the body and place the person in front of a fan or air conditioner.

5. Watch for signals of breathing problems and make sure the airway is clear. 6. Keep the person conscious

How to Care for Heat Related Emergencies

Page 12: Sun safety and heat stress awareness UNIVERSITY of N ORTHERN C OLORADO

Rememberfor Heat Related Emergencies

•Cool the Body •Give Fluids •Minimize Shock

Page 13: Sun safety and heat stress awareness UNIVERSITY of N ORTHERN C OLORADO

University of Northern ColoradoEnvironmental Health & Safety

351-1963 or 351-1149

Call for questions or concerns!“Protect Yourself”