Keep your cool!

  As summer approaches, temperatures are climbing toward 100 degrees and Yumans are more at risk for heat-related illnesses.

  "Heat does cause fatalities, especially out here in Yuma," said Melissa Drate, training officer with the Arizona Division of Occupational Safety and Health. "There (are) 350 people a year nationwide who die from heat stroke."

  Drate offered a presentation for 70 people, mostly agricultural and construction workers at the Yuma Civic Center recently to caution about heat illness warning signs and how to take appropriate action. 

  The exact numbers who die is difficult to know since fatalities often involve multiple injuries, she noted. Yet heat accounts for 38 percent, the most of weather-related deaths.

  There are six steps of heat illness starting with fatigue, rash, collapse, cramps, exhaustion and heat stroke being the most severe, Drate said.

  Fatigue is when the body's cooling mechanisms begin to malfunction. Rash, also known as prickly heat, is when sweat does not evaporate and red papules may appear on the skin where clothing is restrictive.

  This may escalate to cramps when muscles begin to knot up.

  Exhaustion is often noted by headache, nausea, vertigo and weakness.

  "Nip it in the bud before it gets to this point," Drate cautioned. "It develops quickly as red skin and profuse sweating. If you're working with heavy machinery, you could hurt someone else and yourself."

  Heat stroke is the most severe stage. This is where body cooling mechanisms completely shut down, body temperature skyrockets and a person risks brain damage, Drate said.

  "This is what kills people, take immediate action. If a person passes out, get them to the hospital."

  With heat stroke, there needs to be immediate, aggressive cooling of the body. Using a T-shirt as a wet compress or gently spraying a person with a hose are easy ways to cool down a victim, Drate advised.

  The first response to heat illness should be to get the victim out of direct sunlight or if indoors, increase ventilation. Next, get the victim to drink cool, not cold, water in small sips.

  There are a number of ways managers can combat heat stress. If indoors, provide fans and isolate heat-producing machinery. Rotating workers from one work area to another, providing relief crews, pacing the work agenda appropriately prevent employees becoming overexhausted. Including heat stress instruction as part of training could prevent disaster, Drate said.

  Employees should also take responsibility. Wear light-colored clothes to reflect heat. Also wear a sunscreen and long sleeves to prevent sunburn. And if personal protective equipment is required, periodic breaks with the safety gear removed is advised, Drate noted.

  Certain high risk factors could also place a worker in greater jeopardy. Aging, obesity, pregnancy, diabetes or hypertension can all contribute to increased vulnerability.

  What a person eats or drinks could also have an impact. Hot, spicy foods are best avoided, along with abstaining from alcohol, caffeine or sugared beverages.

  Nola Osteen is service coordinator for Air Central Heating And Cooling. Osteen, who conducts monthly safety meetings for her colleagues, said the ADOSH training was worthwhile.

  Some of her company's workers toil on roofs, in attics or direct sunlight for much of the day. She said she cautions them to get in the shade once in awhile and those who can use umbrellas to avoid direct sun.

  "You don't really think how it can be fatal until you hear how someone else collapsed - like the border agent who died of heat exposure last year," Osteen said.

  In extreme temperatures such as those in Yuma during the summer, the human body can lose a quart of sweat in an hour, Drate said. Also, if the humidity is high and air is stagnant, your sweat does not cool the body as efficiently as it should.

  "Be aware of what your body is telling you, stay hydrated, " Drate said. "Don't ignore heat risk factors by solely concentrating on your job. If you ignore heat risks, you may be missing days or weeks instead of just the few minutes you need to cool down."

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William Roller can be reached at wroller@yahoo.com or 539-6858.