[Eoscstudents] Monthly Safety Tip

[Alton Jones]

All,

Welcome to another semester at Eastern Oklahoma State College.  I am Alton
Jones, Chief of Police and Director of Emergency Management.  Each month I
will be sending an email to all Eastern students, faculty, and staff that
will address a particular safety point.  It is August in Southeast Oklahoma
which means it is HOT!  We probably will not see much relief in
temperatures until October.  That being said, here are a few heat safety
tips.

Outdoor workers who are exposed to hot and humid conditions are at risk of
heat-related illness. The risk of heat-related illness becomes greater as
the weather gets hotter and more humid. This situation is particularly
serious when hot weather arrives suddenly early in the season, before
workers have had a chance to adapt to warm weather.

For people working outdoors in hot weather, both air temperature and
humidity affect how hot they feel. The "heat index" is a single value that
takes both temperature and humidity into account. The higher the heat
index, the hotter the weather feels, since sweat does not readily evaporate
and cool the skin. The heat index is a better measure than air temperature
alone for estimating the risk to workers from environmental heat sources.

*Tips for Preventing Heat-Related Illness*

*Stay Cool*

*Wear Appropriate Clothing:* Choose lightweight, light-colored,
loose-fitting clothing.

*Stay Cool Indoors:* Stay in an air-conditioned place as much as possible.
If your home does not have air conditioning, go to the shopping mall or
public library—even a few hours spent in air conditioning can help your
body stay cooler when you go back into the heat. Call your local health
department to see if there are any heat-relief shelters in your area.

   - Keep in mind: Electric fans may provide comfort, but when the
   temperature is in the high 90s, they will not prevent heat-related illness.
   Taking a cool shower or bath or moving to an air-conditioned place is a
   much better way to cool off. Use your stove and oven less to maintain a
   cooler temperature in your home.

*Schedule Outdoor Activities Carefully: *Try to limit your outdoor activity
to when it’s coolest, like morning and evening hours. Rest often in shady
areas so that your body has a chance to recover.

*Pace Yourself:* Cut down on exercise during the heat. If you’re not
accustomed to working or exercising in a hot environment, start slowly and
pick up the pace gradually. If exertion in the heat makes your heart pound
and leaves you gasping for breath, STOP all activity. Get into a cool area
or into the shade, and rest, especially if you become lightheaded,
confused, weak, or faint.

*Wear Sunscreen:* Sunburn affects your body’s ability to cool down and can
make you dehydrated. If you must go outdoors, protect yourself from the sun
by wearing a wide-brimmed hat, sunglasses, and by putting on sunscreen of
SPF 15 or higher 30 minutes prior to going out. Continue to reapply it
according to the package directions.

   - *Tip:* Look for sunscreens that say “broad spectrum” or “UVA/UVB
   protection” on their labels- these products work best.

*Do Not Leave Children in Cars:* Cars can quickly heat up to dangerous
temperatures, even with a window cracked open. While anyone left in a
parked car is at risk, children are especially at risk of getting a heat
stroke or dying. When traveling with children, remember to do the following:

   - Never leave infants, children or pets in a parked car, even if the
   windows are cracked open.
   - To remind yourself that a child is in the car, keep a stuffed animal
   in the car seat. When the child is buckled in, place the stuffed animal in
   the front with the driver.
   - When leaving your car, check to be sure everyone is out of the car. Do
   not overlook any children who have fallen asleep in the car.

*Avoid Hot and Heavy Meals:* They add heat to your body!

*Stay Hydrated*

*Drink Plenty of Fluids:* Drink more fluids, regardless of how active you
are. Don’t wait until you’re thirsty to drink.

   - *Warning:* If your doctor limits the amount you drink or has you on
   water pills, ask how much you should drink while the weather is hot.
   - *Stay away from very sugary or alcoholic drinks*—these actually cause
   you to lose more body fluid. Also avoid very cold drinks, because they can
   cause stomach cramps.

*Replace Salt and Minerals:* Heavy sweating removes salt and minerals from
the body that need to be replaced. A sports drink can replace the salt and
minerals you lose in sweat.

   - If you are on a low-salt diet, have diabetes, high blood pressure, or
   other chronic conditions, talk with your doctor before drinking a sports
   beverage or taking salt tablets.

*Keep Your Pets Hydrated:* Provide plenty of fresh water for your pets, and
leave the water in a shady area.

*Stay Informed*

*Check for Updates:* Check your local news for extreme heat alerts and
safety tips and to learn about any cooling shelters in your area.

*Know the Signs:* Learn the signs and symptoms of heat-related
illnesses and how to treat them.

Use a Buddy System: When working in the heat, monitor the condition of your
co-workers and have someone do the same for you. Heat-induced illness can
cause a person to become confused or lose consciousness. If you are 65
years of age or older, have a friend or relative call to check on you twice
a day during a heat wave. If you know someone in this age group, check on
them at least twice a day.

*Monitor Those at High Risk:* Although anyone at any time can suffer from
heat-related illness, some people are at greater risk than others:

   - Infants and young children
   - People 65 years of age or older
   - People who are overweight
   - People who overexert during work or exercise
   - People who are physically ill, especially with heart disease or high
   blood pressure, or who take certain medications, such as for depression,
   insomnia, or poor circulation

Visit adults at risk at least twice a day and closely watch them for signs
of heat exhaustion or heat stroke. Infants and young children, of course,
need much more frequent watching.

For more information on Heat Safety please visit the following websites.

https://www.osha.gov/SLTC/heatillness/heat_index/index.html

https://www.weather.gov/safety/heat



Resources
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention,
https://www.cdc.gov/disasters/extremeheat/heattips.html

Occupational Safety and Health Administration,
https://www.osha.gov/SLTC/heatillness/heat_index/index.html

National Weather Service, https://www.weather.gov/safety/heat

-- 

v/r

Alton L. Jones
Campus Police Chief
Eastern Oklahoma State College
Phone: 918-465-1739
ajones725 at eosc.edu
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