Heat Stress Isn’t Cool

What is heat stress?

When the body is unable to cool itself by sweating, several heat-induced illnesses such as heat cramps, heat exhaustion and the more severe heat stroke can occur.

Signs of heat stress include:

• Excessive sweating
• Rapid heartbeat
• Headache, fatigue, muscle or abdominal cramps
• Dizziness and nausea

Good practices to prevent heat stress include:

• Frequent work breaks an area that is cooler than the work environment
• Drink extra fluids to prevent dehydration. Heat-related illness also can result from salt depletion, it may be advisable to substitute an electrolyte-rich sports drink for water during periods of extreme heat and humidity
• Avoid caffeine which can result in dehydration