Guidelines for working in the heat

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Nick Wilson
  • 509th Bomb Wing Public Affairs
WHITEMAN AIR FORCE BASE, Mo. --  While Missouri's temperatures continue to rise, Team Whiteman should concern themselves with heat safety precautions both on and off duty. According to the 509th Medical Operation Squadron Public Health Flight, taking preventative measures to ensure Team Whiteman has a safe summer is an ongoing mission.

"We're all at risk," said Master Sgt. Louis Desomma, 509th Medical Operations Squadron NCO in charge of public health. "Ensure that you are properly hydrated and that you acclimate to the environment, especially if you're officially relocating from another area."

Failure to adjust to the summer environment could result in injuries such as a heat stroke, heat exhaustion and heat stress, according to Desomma.

"A heat stroke is the most severe heat injury and can be recognized when a person isn't sweating at all," said Tech. Sgt. Tara Lee, 509th MOS NCO in charge of force health management. "If you suspect something is out of the ordinary you need to get them to a shaded area and call 9-1-1."

Whether or not someone is going to have a heat stroke depends on variables such as health, physical activity, diet and the amount of time one spends in the sun, to name a few.
When it comes to avoiding heat-related injuries, the best precautionary measure supervisors can take is to educate their subordinates on various actions that can be made while being exposed to extreme sunlight, according to Desomma.

"Supervisors should be making sure their personnel aren't working for long periods of time without drinking water," Desomma said.

The amount of water someone drinks varies depending on a person's weight and activity level.

"Along with ensuring that enough water is being consumed throughout the day, wearing loosely fitted clothing also helps circulate air throughout the body," Desomma said.

The following are guidelines courtesy of the 509th Bomb Wing Emergency Management office to avoid heat-related injuries:

·Never leave children or pets alone in closed vehicles.

·Stay indoors as much as possible and limit exposure to the sun.

·Stay on the lowest floor, out of the sunshine, if air conditioning is not available. Wear sunscreen with a Sun Protection Factor. Wing emergency management officials say the environmental protection agency recommends using SPF 15 sunscreen for minimum protection and SPF 30 for double protection and to apply often.

·Postpone outdoor games and activities to the afternoon when the sunlight isn't very strong.

·Consider spending the warmest part of the day in public buildings such as libraries, schools, movie theaters, shopping malls and other community facilities. Circulating air can cool the body by increasing the perspiration rate of evaporation.

·Eat well-balanced, light and regular meals. Avoid using salt tablets unless directed to do so by a physician.

·Drink plenty of water; even if you do not feel thirsty. Avoid drinks with caffeine. Persons who have epilepsy or heart, kidney, or liver disease, are on fluid-restricted diets, or have a problem with fluid retention should consult a doctor before increasing liquid intake.
·Limit intake of alcoholic beverages.

·Dress in loose-fitting, lightweight and light-colored clothes that cover as much skin as possible. Avoid dark colors because they absorb heat.

·Protect face and head by wearing a wide-brimmed hat.

·Avoid strenuous work during the warmest part of the day. Use a buddy system when working in extreme heat and take frequent breaks.

·Check on family, friends and neighbors who do not have air conditioning and who spend much of their time alone.

·Avoid extreme temperature changes.

·Check on your animals frequently to ensure they are not suffering from the heat. Go to a designated public shelter if your home loses power during periods of extreme heat. Text SHELTER + your ZIP code to 43362 (4FEMA) to find the nearest shelter in your area (example: shelter 12345). (Texting charges may apply).