The Trillium Construction Safety Committee came up with a guide on how to recognize the different forms of heat illnesses and how to treat and even prevent them from occurring. Although these types of instances are typically more prevalent in individuals who work outside, everyone should be aware of the signs and symptoms of heat illness as they can effect a variety of individuals in many varying occupations and circumstances.

Heat stress is commonly associated with warm weather. It’s true that warm weather increases the number of heat-stress injuries and illnesses. Warm weather isn’t the only cause of heat stress. Heat stress can occur any time the surrounding temperature is elevated. Even if the weather is cool, you may work in warm areas, indoors or out. Be alert for conditions which could cause heat stress and take precautions to prevent it. Six main factors are involved in causing heat stress including temperature, humidity, movement of air, radiant temperature of the surroundings, clothing, and physical activity.

Common-sense precautions, such as dressing properly for the job, include wearing lightweight clothing which allows moisture to evaporate quickly; wearing reflective clothing or cooling suits for jobs which require them; and using extra caution if you are required to wear clothing on the job which limits evaporation–you could succumb to heat stress much more quickly.

The major heat stress injuries and illnesses are described here:

• Heat Rash is caused by a hot, humid environment and plugged sweat glands. It is a bumpy red rash which itches severely. It is not life-threatening but is very annoying. Dry clothes that help sweat evaporate will reduce the chance of heat rash. Washing regularly and keeping the skin clean and dry will help prevent heat rash.
• Heat Cramps are painful muscle cramps caused by a loss of body salt through excessive sweating. To help prevent heat cramps, drink plenty of non-alcoholic, caffeine-free fluids while working in a hot environment. Check with your doctor about the use of salt tablets. They may be recommended in some cases. Anyone suffering from heat cramps should be watched carefully for signs of more serious heat stress. If the cramps persist or other symptoms develop, seek medical attention immediately.
• Heat Syncope (pronounced “sin-co-pay”) is sudden fainting caused by a reduced blood flow to the head. The victim’s skin will be cool and moist and their pulse will be weak. Immediate medical attention is needed in the event of syncope.
• Heat Exhaustion results from inadequate salt and water intake and is a sign the body’s cooling system is not working properly. You will sweat heavily, your skin will be cool and moist, your pulse weak, and you will seem tired, confused, clumsy, irritable or upset, they may breathe rapidly–even pant–and their vision may be blurred. You may strongly argue that you are okay even with these obvious symptoms. If you suspect heat exhaustion, don’t talk yourself out of seeking immediate medical attention. The heat exhaustion will affect your ability to exercise good judgment. Until medical help arrives, try to cool the yourself and take sips of cool water until medical help arrives. Immediate medical attention is required. Heat exhaustion can quickly lead to heat stroke.
• Heat Stroke is the deadliest of all heat stress conditions. It occurs when the body’s cooling mechanism has shut down after extreme loss of salt and fluids. The body temperature will rise, your skin will be hot, red, and dry, pulse fast, and you may have headache or dizziness. You will probably be weak, confused, and upset. Later stages of heat stroke cause a loss of consciousness and may lead to convulsions. In the event of heat stroke, seek immediate medical attention. Until help arrives, try to cool yourself and take sips of cool water.

Constant hydration is the key to avoiding heat illness. Make sure whether you are on the job or off the job to drink plenty of water day and night. A person should drink at minimum 8 ounces of water per hour. DO NOT wait until you are thirsty to drink water, it might be too late to avoid heat illness.

Being aware of Heat Illness, it’s warning signs and ways to prevent it can go a long way in keeping you and your co-workers safe this Summer season. 

The Trillium brand of companies is privately owned by René Poch and provides more than 30 years of industry leading recruitment and staffing services through its divisions including: Trillium Staffing, Trillium Construction Services, Trillium Driver Solutions, Trillium Marine, Trillium Technical, Trillium Environmental, and Trillium Techs. With approximately 90 offices nationwide and nearly 400 internal recruitment professionals, the Trillium brand is proud to be recognized by Staffing Industry Analysts as a Top 25 Largest Industrial Staffing Firm in the U.S., a Top 100 Largest Staffing Firm in the U.S., a Top 100 Fastest Growing Staffing Firm in the U.S., and a 2015 winner of National Best and Brightest Companies to Work For. For more information please visit www.trilliumstaffing.com.

The key to any successful disaster plan is to have a team identified and trained ahead of time to carry out the plans when the need arises. These team should be identified ahead of time by Human Resources and provided with training and documentation that helps them each carry out their delegated responsibilities for the organization. This team should meet regularly to review procedures and make any adjustments necessary to ensure plans are fresh in their mind and still make sense to accomplish all goals for the organization. Including department leaders can help in the delegation of duties as listed below:

• Human Resources- Employee safety, employee communications, scheduling, record keeping and benefits.
• Accounting- Payroll, record keeping, insurance, and budget concerns.
• Marketing- Mass communication and alerts to clients, vendors, and the general public.
• IT- Power back up, remote access, data recovery, and systems maintenance.

The first and foremost priority of this team, must be employee safety. For businesses who are located in areas that are prone to natural disasters, instructions should be listed in employee handbooks, described during new hire orientation, and refreshed regularly to ensure any evacuations go smoothly. Once safety is established, employees will need communication on scheduling, payroll, plans for resuming operations, and emergency contact procedures. If you have an employee assistance program (EAP), this information should also be re-communicated as employees may experience tremendous loss and grief during these types of events. If you have access to automated communication systems such as text alerts, email alerts, or automated call messages, employees should confirm their current contact information so they are able to receive communication through these functions. Social media and your website are also a great tool for communicating updates to your staff on non-confidential matters. Please keep in mind that all decisions made regarding employees should take into consideration sanctions by FMLA, WARN, COBRA, and FLSA.

Once employee communication has been handled, communication should be made available to clients, vendors, and the public as needed. Again, mass communication tools can be ideal to communicate changes and updates on hours, operations, contact information, and services available. Online announcements via your website and social media channels are great for updates in real time as things may change at a moment’s notice due to loss of power, building damage, road closures, etc.

Keep in mind that employees and operations may see long term affects following a crisis. Be sure to consult with your legal and risk management teams to ensure that you are prepared for such events both during and after the immediate crisis has ended.

Are you a stand out professional, technical professional, driver, or skilled worker seeking contingent, temporary, or long term career opportunities?  Visit our job board  for more information!  Want to learn more about how you can gain access to Trillium’s national network of professionals and skilled workers? Contact us today!

Trillium, a national leader in staffing and recruitment is a valued staffing partner to over 22,000 companies nationwide. Trillium is privately owned by Oskar René Poch.

“There really are no accidents, awareness is the key! You don’t get injured because you are aware of the hazard,” commented Jamie Ellis, Safety Manager for Trillium.

Federal OSHA reports that eliminating the “Fatal Four” would have saved 468 lives in America in 2013 alone. Coincidentally enough, included in the top 3 most frequented cited violations for fiscal year 2014 for Federal OSHA included was Fall Protection and General Requirements for Scaffolding.

Several ways to reduce risk of injury and death in the work place due to the “Fatal Four” includes:

• Employing a Risk Management team.
• Having a structured safety program that includes training, refreshers, enforcement, and incentives.
• Safety committees dedicated to identifying hazards and ensuring jobsite safety.
• Screening potential hires for knowledge and commitment to safety protocol.
• Hiring only those who are qualified to perform the work safely.

Want to learn more about how you can gain access to Trillium’s national network of top level talent? Contact us today! If you are a stand out in your profession and seeking contingent or long term career opportunities, visit our job seekers section for more information!

Trillium, a national leader in staffing and recruitment is a valued staffing partner to over 5,000 companies nationwide. Trillium is privately owned by Oskar René Poch.