Heat Stroke Safety Tips

Hello! I am Nikita Lorenzen, the new Safety Specialist for Southwest Grain. I worked here a couple years ago and am happy to be back! Previously, I worked for Stark County Emergency Management for a couple years and gained some valuable experience. I am also on the Dickinson Rural Fire Department.

With the warmer weather finally here and operations ramping up, it is important we stay hydrated and monitor each other for signs of heat stress. If your job requires you to work outside in hot weather, you can take precautions to minimize the risk of heat-related illnesses such as:

• Staying hydrated and drinking before you get thirsty.
• Watch out for co-workers exhibiting signs of heat exhaustion and heat stroke.
• Take time to rest and cool down

Signs of heat exhaustion include:

• Pale, ashen, or moist skin
• Muscle cramps
• Fatigue, weakness, or exhaustion
• Headache, dizziness, or fainting
• Nausea or vomiting
• Rapid heart rate

Uncontrolled heat exhaustion can evolve into heat stroke – which is life threatening. Signs of heat stroke include:

• Body temp above 103 degrees
• Skin that is flushed, dry and hot to the touch; sweating has usually stopped
• Rapid breathing
• Headache, dizziness, confusion, or other signs of altered mental status
• Irrational or belligerent behavior
• Convulsions or unresponsiveness

Heat stroke requires immediate attention:

• Call 911
• Get victim to cool place
• Remove unnecessary clothing
• Immediately cool the victim, preferably by immersing up to the neck in cold water (with the help of a second rescuer)
• If immersion in cold water is not possible, place the victim in a cold shower or move to cool area and cover as much of the body as possible with cold, wet towels
• Keep cooling until the body temp drops to 101 degrees
• Monitor the victim’s breathing and be ready to give CPR if needed.

Stay Safe!