Weather Injury Prevention

8/6/2019 Weather Injury Prevention

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Weather Injury Prevention & Hot/Cold

Weather Injury Prevention

6/22/2011 1


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Heat Injury Prevention


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Objectives

Soldiers are able to describe how the body handles heat to include;

conditions affecting body heat, heat gain or loss, effects of heat

stress and the bodys cooling system

Soldiers can describe the causes, symptoms, and apply initial first

aid to soldiers that are victims of minor heat stress disorders.Soldiers are able to describe prevention measures.

Soldiers can describe the causes, symptoms, and apply initial first

aid to soldiers that are victims of major heat stress disorders.

Soldiers are able to describe prevention measures.

Soldiers can describe factors that control heat stress.


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Heat Stress

High temperatures put stress on our bodies. The

bodys cooling system has to work hard to reduce theeffects of heat stress. This physical strain -- combined

with other stresses such as energy loss and heat

production through physical work and loss of fluid

from sweating -- may lead to heat disorders,disability, or even death.


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The Hazard of Heat Stress

In addition to the medical hazards of bodily illness orinjury caused by heat stress, there is also a higher

frequency of accidents in hot environments.

Direct causes of accidents include;

Fogged glasses

Sweat in the eyes Slippery hands

Dizziness or fainting

Indirect causes of accidents include;

Physical discomfort

Fatigue

Irritability and anger

Poor judgment

Diverting attention from the job

Slower mental and physical job reactions


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Coping with the hazards

Heat disorders are preventable with proper planning,

supervision and training. Steps you can take to cope

with the hazards of heat stress include:

Understanding the effects of heat stress. Knowing the symptoms and treatment for heat stress

disorders.

Taking personal precautions against heat disorders.


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How the Body Handles Heat

Conditions Affecting Body Heat

To understand the effects of heat stress you need to

know how the body handles heat. Your body always

generates internal heat, but the amount of heat that

stays stored in your body depends on your: Surroundings

Level of physical activity

Type of work

Time spent working Recovery time between work periods

Ability of the body to dissipate heat (clothing, ability to

sweat).


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The amount and speed of heat gain or loss

depends on:

Temperature of the air and surrounding objects.

Air movement (wind or fans).

Humidity (amount of water vapor in the air).

How the Body Handles Heat (cont.)

Heat Gain or Loss


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Effects of Heat Stress

While resting, the body loses 75 percent of its heat

through conduction, convection or radiation from

the blood flow at the skin surface. However, as

internal body heat rises as the result of work orhigh temperatures, blood flow to the skin

increases and the pulse rate goes up, putting a

strain on the heart and circulatory system.


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When more blood is pumped close to the skin, less

blood goes to the brain. Sudden movements can result

in dizziness or a momentary blackout, which could cause

secondary injuries or accidents at a job site.

If the temperature of the air and surrounding objects in

your work area rises above body temperatures, it

becomes very difficult for your body to cool. The

evaporation of sweat becomes the bodys most

important-and sometimes only-cooling method.


Your Bodys Cooling System


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Sweating can make things worse by causing you to

lose body fluids and salt. Most people lose about a

quart of sweat an hour while working in extreme heat.

This strains the circulatory system since it actually

lowers the volume of blood in your body. Sweating may not be enough to get rid of heat, since

sweat must evaporate to cool your body. If the air is

too full of water vapor to absorb any more, you can

work directly in front of a fan and still not losesufficient heat to keep cool.


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Finally, if your bodys natural defenses against heat are

pushed beyond their limits, they may simply shut down,

leading to an uncontrolled and explosive rise in body

temperature that can cause heat stroke, permanent

damage to the central nervous system or death.




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Minor Heat Stress Disorders

Sunburn

Sunburn is often overlooked as a danger when working outdoors in direct sunlight. Besides the

discomfort of the burn itself, sunburn can prevent your body from eliminating heat efficiently and

can contribute to one of the more dangerous heat disorders.

Cause Exposure of unprotected skin to ultraviolet light.

Symptoms First degree-red, painful skin.

Second degree-blistering and/or peeling.

Treatments Skin lotions.

Topical anesthetics

S

taying in a shaded area. PREVENTION IS THE KEY

Limit exposure on bare skin.

Use sunscreen instead of tanning lotion.


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Minor Heat Stress Disorders

Heat Rash

Heat rash, also known as prickly heat, is another minor annoyance that can

lower the bodys ability to lose heat.

Cause Hot, humid environment.

Sweat wont evaporate.

Skin stays wet most of the time.

Symptoms Red rash

Itching

Treatment Ointment

Prevention Bathe regularly.

Keep skin clean and dry


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Major Heat Stress Disorders

Heat Cramps

Heat cramps are always a danger signal since they may occur alone or becombined with one of the other major heat stress disorders. These are

painful-sometimes severe-cramps of the muscles used while working,

such as the arms, legs, back, or abdomen.

Cause Sweating heavily

R

eplacing water but not salt. Symptoms

Sudden onset of muscle cramping.

Normal pulse.

Normal to slightly high body temperature

Prevention

Move into the shade or improvise. Loosen clothing.

Drink lightly salted liquids

Wait to see if symptoms go away

Seek medical aid if the cramps persist.


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Heat exhaustion occurs when the bodys heat-control mechanism is

overactive but hasnt broken down completely. The victim may also behaving heat cramps, and there is a high risk that the victim will continue

on to a state of heat stroke. This disorder also causes special risk to

older personnel or those with coronary artery disease or emphysema.

Cause Surface blood vessels that enlarged to cool the blood collapse from loss of body fluids

and minerals.

Symptoms Heavy sweating

Intense thirst from dehydration.

Weak and rapid pulse (120 to 200)

Low to normal blood pressure.

Fatigue, weakness or loss of coordination.

OtherSymptoms of Heat Exhaustion Anxiety or agitation.

Clouded senses, impaired judgment, fainting.

Tingling in hands and feet, headache.

Loss of appetite, nausea or vomiting.

Hyperventilation (rapid breathing or panting).


HeatExhaustion


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HeatExhaustion (cont.)

First-aid Treatment Move the victim into the shade.

Loosen or remove clothing and boots.

Cool the victim as fast as possible.

Fan the victim.

If necessary, pour water on the victim

Elevate the victims legs and massage limbs. Have the victim drink water-with salt, if available.

Stay with the victim until medical aid arrives.

Victims of heat exhaustion must be examined by a

qualified medical practitioner and should not

participate in strenuous activity for the rest of the day.

Bed rest and restoration of body water and salt

usually are all the treatment needed.


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Heat stroke is a medical emergency requiring immediate medical attention.Outwardly, it may first progress through the symptoms of heat cramps

and/or heat exhaustion, with a dramatically sudden onset of heat stroke

symptoms followed by rapid deterioration of the victim.

Cause

When the bodys cooling mechanisms fail, rising internal body temperature begins todamage internal organ systems. Death can result if the internal temperature remains

high.

Early Symptoms of Heat Stroke High body temperature -- usually above 104 degrees F.

Confusion or delirium.

Bizarre behavior.

Rapid pulse.

Difficult breathing.

Headache or dizziness.

Weakness, nausea or vomiting.


Heat Stroke


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Advanced Symptoms Seizure or convulsions.

Collapse.

Loss of consciousness.

Deep coma.

No detectable pulse.

Body temperature over 108 degrees F.

First-aid Treatment

The most important step is prompt recognition of heat stroke symptoms

and immediate treatment. You must lower the victims body temperature as fast as possible.

Immerse him in cold water. Dont give liquids to unconscious victims.

Call an ambulance and evacuate the victim to a hospital.


Heat Stroke (cont.)


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Controlling Heat Stress

Acclimatization

If you cant control temperature or humidity in your workplace, you must

become acclimatized to it. Acclimatization is the ability to perform a

maximum amount of strenuous work in the heat by gradually getting

yourself used to the climate you work in.

First, get yourself into good physical condition. Physical work in the heat is

necessary for full acclimatization, but it should consist of increasingly longer

work periods each day, alternating with rest or lighter work.

Some workers reach full acclimatization within a week, while others take

longer. But if you go on vacation, remember that you will start losing yourresistance to heat after one week and youll lose it completely in a month.


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Follow scheduled work/rest cycles that keep any individual from

overdoing it. Remember, rest means minimal activity, not

stopping work completely. Workers may alternate light and

heavy work, indoor and outdoor work, etc.

Duties may also be rotated among several workers to protect

them from heat, and workload can be adjusted on body size or

physical strength.

Exertional heat illness is produced primarily by working people

too hard, too fast, and/or too long for their physical and medical

state and the environmental conditions.


Work Procedures


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Heavy meals reduce your ability to get rid of heat because they redirectblood flow to your digestive tract instead of your skin surface. Be sure

your noon meal is light and cool, then try to rest for a while right after

eating. Plan your heaviest meal of the day for evening after the

workday is over.

Drink 5 to 7 ounces of water every 15 to 20 minutes, even if you dont

feel thirsty. Water temperature should be 50 to 60 degrees F for betterabsorption by the body. If sweating heavily, one quart of water per

hour is recommended.

Consuming drinks designed to replace blood fluids and electrolytes is

okay, but never drink alcoholic beverages, since alcohol dehydrates the

body.

Except when treating specific disorders, salt supplements are not

recommended. Normally-salted meals provide adequate salt even in

hot environments.


Food andWater Intake


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Summary

Some of the factors affecting heat stress are things you can control --

such as the amount of water you drink -- while others are not. For

your safety, here is a summary of physical conditions that can hurtyour bodys natural ability to withstand high temperatures:

Dehydration y Diarrhea

Exposure to high temperatures at night

Fatigue

y Recent immunizations

Improper work procedures y Loss of sleep

Lack of acclimatization y Medications

Older age (over 40) y Obesity

Previous occurrence of heat stroke.

Poor physical conditioning

Recent drug or alcohol use (within 24 hours)

Skin Trauma (heat rash or sunburn)

Wrong type or amount of clothing.

(Light, loose-fitting clothing is recommended)


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COLD INJURIES: DESCRIPTION,

T

REATM

ENT

AND PREVENT

IO

N

Prepared by:

U.S. Army Center for Health Promotion and Preventive Medicine

(800) 222-9698/ DSN 584-4375/(410) 436-4375

http://chppm-www.apgea.army.mil


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Susceptibility Factors

Previous cold weatherinjury

Inadequate nutrition

Alcohol, caffeine,nicotine

Dehydration

Overactivity

Underactivity

Long exposure to thecold

Sick or injured

Acclimatization

Ethnic/geographicorigin

Wind, cold, rain

Age

Discipline and morale

Physical stamina

Inadequate training

Poor clothing and equip


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Prevention

Eat properly and often

Drink warm liquids (non-caffeinated) and water

Wear uniform properly (layers worn loosely)

Keep active Stay dry

Use warming tents

Get plenty of rest

Buddy watch/observation/NCO checks


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Hypothermia

MEDICAL EMERGENCY; life threatening condition

Severe body heat loss-body temp falls below 95oF

Occurs when:

conditions are windy, clothing is wet, and/or the individualis inactive

extended water exposure or immersion

1 hour or less when water temp is below 45oF

prolonged exposure in slightly cool water (e.g. 60oF)

thunderstorms, hail, rain and accompanying winds


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Hypothermia

Initial Symptoms shivering

dizzy, drowsy

withdrawn behavior irritability

confusion

slowed, slurredspeech

altered vision

stumbling

Severe Stages

stops shivering

desire to lie down

and sleep heartbeat and

breathing is faint or

undetectable

unconsciousnessfollowed by DEATH


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Hypothermia

Treatment

prevent further cold exposure

evacuate immediately if severe hypothermia

remove wet clothing

rewarm with body-to-body contact or in a warmed

sleeping bag

warm, sweet liquids if conscious

give CPR if needed


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Frostbite

Air temps below 32oF

skin freezes at 28oF

Superficial frostbite (mild)

freezing of skin surface

Deep frostbite (severe) freezing of skin and flesh, may include bone

Hands, fingers, feet, toes, ears, chin, nose, groin area

Symptoms initially redness in light skin or grayish in dark skin

tingling, stinging sensation

turns numb, yellowish, waxy or gray color

feels cold, stiff, woody

blisters may develop


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Frostbite


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Frostbite

Treatment remove from cold and prevent further heat loss

remove constricting clothing and jewelry

rewarm affected area evenly with body heat untilpain returns when skin thaws it hurts!!

do not rewarm a frostbite injury if it could refreeze duringevacuation or if victim must walk for medical treatment

do not massage affected parts or rub with snow evacuate for medical treatment


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Chilblains

Nonfreezing cold injury

Cold, wet conditions (between 32-60oF, high humidity)

Repeated, prolonged exposure of bare skin

Can develop in only a few hours

Ears, nose, cheeks, fingers, and toes

Symptoms:

initially pale and colorless

worsens to achy, prickly sensation then numbness red, swollen, hot, itchy, tender skin upon rewarming

blistering in severe cases


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Chillblains


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Chilblains

Treatment

prevent further exposure

wash, dry gently

rewarm (apply body heat)

dont massage or rub

dry sterile dressing

seek medical aid


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Trench/Immersion Foot

Potentially crippling, nonfreezing injury (temps from 50oF-32oF)

Prolonged exposure of skin to moisture (12 or more hours, days)

High risk during wet weather, in wet areas, or sweat accumulated in boots

or gloves

Symptoms

initially appears wet, soggy, white, shriveled

sensations of pins and needles, tingling, numbness, and then pain

skin discoloration-red, bluish, or black

becomes cold, swollen, and waxy appearance

may develop blisters, open weeping or bleeding

in extreme cases, flesh dies


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Treatment

prevent further exposure

dry carefully

D

O NOT

break blisters, apply lotions, massage,expose to heat, or allow to walk on injury

rewarm with body heat

clean and wrap loosely

elevate feet to reduce swelling

evacuate for medical treatment


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Dehydration

A loss of body fluids to the point of slowing

or preventing normal body functions

Increases chance of becoming a coldweather casualty, esp hypothermia

Can lead to heat cramps or heat

exhaustion


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Dehydration

Symptoms dark urine

headache

dizziness, nausea weakness

dry mouth, tongue,throat, lips

lack of appetite

stomach cramps orvomiting

irritability

decreased amount of

urine being produced mental sluggishness

increased or rapid

heartbeat

lethargic unconsciousness


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Dehydration

Treatment

drinkWATER or other warm liquids

avoid caffeinated liquids (sodas, coffee, tea)

do not eat snow

rest


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Conclusion

Dress properly

Drink plenty of fluids

Eat right Keep in shape

Get plenty of rest

Minimize periods of inactivity Maintain a positive attitude


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ReferenceMaterials

Center forArmy Lessons Learned Newsletter No. 97-5 Winning inthe Winter

Technical Note No. 92-2 Sustaining Health and Performance in theCold: Environmental Medicine Guidance for Cold-WeatherOperations

TC 21-3 Soldiers Handbook for Individual Operations and Survivalin Cold-Weather Areas

FM 31-70 Basic Cold Weather Manual

FM 21-10 Field Hygiene and Sanitation

FM 21-11 First Aid for Soldiers

TB MED 81 Cold Injury

FD Pam 40-5 Win in the Heat and Cold: Climatic Injury PreventionGuide


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ReferenceMaterials

CalculatingWind Chill Equivalent Temperature

(WCET)

Find wind speed on left side of chart

Find actual temperature on top row

Wind chill equivalent temperature located where

the two intersect

Website: www.nws.noaa.gov/om/wind chill

Documents

Weather Injury Prevention