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Go Back   Lampwork Etc. > Library > Safety

Safety -- Make sure you are safe!

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  #1  
Old 2009-06-23, 1:41pm
Chris Hansen Chris Hansen is offline
pyro slacker mom
 
Join Date: Dec 30, 2007
Location: Washington State
Posts: 205
Default Preventing Heat Stress for Glassworkers

The following is an article I wrote a while back on avoiding heat stress. I first wrote the article for a firefighter magazine, and then for a construction website. I've tweaked it (minimally) to apply to those of us who like to play with fire.

I've attached a handy-dandy hydration analysis chart as well, which enables you to assess your hydration based on the color of your pee. Cool, huh? HYDRATION ANALYSIS CHAR1.doc

I'll be posting this on my website along with the other glass forums. You're welcome to share this information; please include my byline/copyright info.

Cheers,
Chris


Preventing Heat Stress in the Glassworker
Copyright Christine Hansen 2009

It’s always hot when you play with fire, but the summer sun really cranks up the heat. Heat stress saps energy, clouds clear thinking and can be fatal if not treated quickly.

What is Heat Stress?

When the mercury skyrockets, your body compensates by circulating blood to the skin, which raises the skin temperature and allows your body to diffuse extra heat. If you’re physically active, less blood is available to circulate to the skin.

Your body also cools off by sweating, but that may not be enough relief on a humid day, if you’re dehydrated, or if you’ve got a huge torch but no blast-shield.

If your body can’t eliminate the extra heat, it stores this heat. Your core temperature will rise, and your heart rate will increase. You are experiencing heat stress.

Early warning signs of heat related emergencies include a chilled feeling, goose bumps on the chest and upper arms, a throbbing pressure in the head, unsteadiness, nausea and fatigue. Cool off and hydrate as fast as possible.

Heat Related Emergencies: Obtain medical help immediately!

Heat cramps -
• Muscles seize painfully, during or after working hours.
• Treatment for heat cramps is to rest in the shade, get near a fan, spray the person with water and massage the cramp.

Heat cramps occur when the body’s electrolyte level drops too low. They usually begin in the arms, legs or abdomen, and often precede heat exhaustion. Heat cramps are the least serious of the heat disorders, but extremely painful.

Heat exhaustion -
• Body temperature may be normal or higher
• Victim may have a headache
• Victim’s skin feels clammy
• Victim may be fatigued, weak or nauseous
• Treatment for heat exhaustion includes getting the victim to a cool place to rest, applying cool compresses, elevating the feet and giving the victim fluids.

Heat exhaustion is a medical emergency characterized by extreme tiredness, breathlessness, dizziness, tachycardia, and a body temperature of 101°F-104°F. The victim may also suffer nausea and skin may appear cool, damp, and pale. Heat exhaustion may or may not be preceded by heat cramps and sweating may or may not occur. The individual may also suffer a varying level of consciousness.

The reason for the potentially wide variety of signs and symptoms seen in heat exhaustion is because the body’s ability to dissipate heat is at its maximum limit and beginning to falter, and the body temperature is rising. The extent to which an individual suffers or exhibits these signs and symptoms tends to be inherent to that individual.

Heat stroke –
• Victim’s body can no longer regulate core temperature
• Victim has stopped sweating
• Victim’s skin is hot and dry
• May be red, mottled or bluish
• Victim’s body temperature is 105 degrees F or higher
• Victim may be confused, delirious, lose consciousness or go into convulsions or coma.

Heat stroke is the worst heat-related injury. The victim will be hot, reddish and warm to the touch. Heat stroke is characterized by a body temperature of 105°F-106°F, total confusion or unconsciousness, cessation of sweating, increased heart rate, and low blood pressure. Victims may also suffer headaches or convulsions.

In heat stroke, the body’s temperature regulating systems have been completely overwhelmed and have ceased to function, resulting in a dramatic increase in internal body-core temperature. Unless active cooling methods are pursued immediately, severe injury or death will occur quickly.

The emergency care of heat stroke is to cool the body as quickly as possible. One of the best methods for cooling the body during a heat emergency is to wrap the patient in cool, wet sheets.

First Aid:
• Move victim to the shade
• Loosen clothes
• Provide fluids
• Wipe or spray skin with cool water

Preventing Heat Stress:
Keep yourself healthy in the heat by remembering this acronym: HEAT (Hydrate, Educate, Acclimate, and Train for fitness).

Hydrate: Drink about 16-24 ounces of cool water or sports drinks per hour (ice-cold water may cause stomach cramps). Pre-hydrate by drinking plenty of water when you’re not rocking the torch and avoid alcohol and caffeine—they dehydrate the body.

Educate: Know the signs and symptoms of heat stress, and learn preventive measures. Cool off frequently in the shade with cold wet towels, a sprayer filled with cool water and fans. Do the most physically demanding tasks early in the day. If you can, take turns with your coworkers performing heavy work in the heat. Wear light-colored cotton clothing. A wet bandanna tied around your neck will help keep you cool. Some medications intensify heat stress—check with your doctor or pharmacist about your prescriptions.

Acclimate: It takes the human body anywhere from 5 to 14 days to adapt to torrid weather - give yourself time to acclimate and take it easy at first.

Train for fitness: You can improve your heat tolerance by improving your cardiovascular fitness - when you’re physically fit, your body functions more efficiently and produces less body heat.
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  #2  
Old 2009-06-23, 2:47pm
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rguttierrez rguttierrez is offline
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Nice article. Thanks for the information.
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Old 2009-06-23, 3:14pm
NMLinda NMLinda is offline
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Wonderful post! Thank you!

Linda
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Old 2009-06-23, 3:31pm
Chris Hansen Chris Hansen is offline
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Thank you much Rose and Linda!

I've been meaning to re-work the article and post for a while now...just glad I finally DID it and can cross it off my to-do list!
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Old 2009-06-25, 6:17am
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RSimmons RSimmons is offline
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When using the chart bear in mind that some drugs and vitamin supplements (Vitamin B in particular) can have drastic urine color effects without affecting your hydration status.

Robert
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