Hot Weather

Question 1

When can hot weather happen in the pacific north west?

Answer 1

Between May 1st and September 30th

Question 2

When is it too hot?

Answer 2

Above 89 degrees, especially if people don’t have enough water to drink

Question 3

What are the L & I outdoor temperature action levels?

Answer 3

For non-breathing vapor barrier clothing or full body chemical resistant suits -52 degrees

For double-layer woven clothes, including coveralls, jackets and sweatshirts - 77 degrees

And for all other clothing - 89 degrees

Question 4

What are the environmental factors that affect heat illness?

Answer 4

temperature and humidity, direct sun versus shade, breeze versus no air movement, reflected heat-roofs and pavement, hot equipment

Question 5

What are the most important personal risk factors when it comes to heat illness?

Answer 5

Age, weight, diet, and medical conditions

Question 6

What are personal factors that make you sensitive to heat?

Answer 6

Lack of sleep, caffeine, alcohol, certain medications, a previous heat-related illness, pregnancy

Question 7

What factors affect heat tolerance?

Answer 7

Dehydration - not drinking enough water, Loss of electrolytes (salt), Illness or fever, Physical exertion, Amount of clothing worn

Question 8

What are less serious effects from heat?

Answer 8

heat rash, fainting, heat cramps

Question 9

What are the serious effects of excessive heat?

Answer 9

Heat Stroke: Red, Hot, dry skin, high temperature, confusion, fainting, convulsions

Question 10

What are symptoms of heat exhaustion?

Answer 10

Extreme sweating, headache, dizziness, light-headedness or fainting, nausea and/or vomiting, pale, clammy skin, irritability or confusion

Question 11

What are some symptoms of heat stroke?

Answer 11

dry skin (sweating may still be present), hot red skin - like a sunburn, nausea and vomiting, irritability, confusion and incoherence, seizures or fits, collapse/loss of consciousness, high body temperature - 104 degrees or above

Question 12

What is the natural progression of heat illness?

Answer 12

Dehydration -> Heat Exhaustion -> Heat Stroke. Untreated heat exhaustion may progress to heat stroke.

Question 13

How can you distinguish whether a person is suffering from heat stroke or heat exhaustion?

Answer 13

Ask these three questions: “What is your name?”, “What day is this?”, “Where are we?” if the person can’t answer these questions, assume it is heat stroke.

Question 14

What should you do if you have heat exhaustion or heat stroke symptoms?

Answer 14

stop all physical activity, drink some water and go to a cool place especially if you become light-headed, confused, weak, faint, have pounding heart, trouble breathing

Question 15

What is the single most effective thing you can do to prevent heat illness?

Answer 15

Drink plenty of water

Question 16

What is the right way to hydrate?

Answer 16

Drink plenty of water, start work well hydrated, consider sports drinks if sweating a lot

Question 17

What is the wrong way to hydrate?

Answer 17

Drinking pop and other sugary drinks can dehydrate you, as well as drinking lots of coffee and tea and alcohol. Waiting for thirst before drinking water

Question 18

What are heat related rest breaks?

Answer 18

When the temperature is above 89 degrees your employer is required to give you a break in shade or cool area if you feel sick from the heat.

Question 19

What are heat related required rest breaks?

Answer 19

You must take a 10 minute rest break every two hours when the temperature is above 100 degrees.

Question 20

What is the first aid for heat exhaustion?

Answer 20

Move the person to a cool, shady area and have them lay down. Loosen and remove clothing that restricts cooling. If the person is alert, and not nauseated, give them fluids - about one cup every 15 minutes.

Fan the person, spray them with water or apply a wet cloth to their skin. Recovery should be rapid. Call 911 if they do not feel better in about 15 minutes.

Question 21

What is the first aid for heat stroke?

Answer 21

Get medical help immediately. Call 911 and transport as soon as possible to a medical facility. Use all ways available to cool the person down while waiting for emergency response.

Call hospital for further instructions

Question 22

How can you measure dehydration based on urine color?

Answer 22

The clearer your urine, the more hydrated you are.

Question 23

What temperature does heat threat occur?

Answer 23

89 degrees

Question 24

How long does it take to acclimatize to hot weather?

Answer 24

One to two weeks

Question 25

What is the best way to prevent heat illness?

Answer 25

Drink plenty of water

Question 26

What is the most serious effect of extreme heat?

Answer 26

Heat stroke

Question 27

What is a sure sign of heat stroke?

Answer 27

Confusion and incoherence