Background:
On a summer afternoon in the southern U.S., a forest technician had finished painting a streamside management zone line and walked back to his pickup truck. It was a hot, humid day with a heat index reaching 106 degrees by mid- to late afternoon.
PERSONAL CHARACTERISTICS:
The forest technician was in his 50s and was experienced and properly trained for his job. He was wearing sturdy work boots, a high-visibility vest and snake leggings. He also had a SPOT device, mobile phone and “Southern Linc” radio access.
Unsafe Act AND CONDITION:
He started painting the SMZ line in the early afternoon and finished at approximately 3 p.m. during the heat of the day. He probably did not realize he was very close to suffering from heat exhaustion.
Incident:
As he walked back to his truck, he met with another co-worker at the truck. The co-worker handed him a bottle of water. The technician drank most of the water and then walked around to the tailgate of the truck to sit down and rest.
Injury:
He leaned against the truck but lost his balance and fell to the ground, exhausted. The co-worker immediately helped him inside the truck to cool him off with the air conditioner.
Recommendations for Correction:
• On days when it is expected to be extremely hot, start work earlier in the day and plan to end field work before the peak afternoon heat. Don’t overdo it on a hot day.
• Drink plenty of fluids (but avoid caffeine and alcohol). Make sure to properly hydrate before beginning work and maintain that hydration as work progresses.
• If working alone, bring along a mobile phone or other means of communication to others.
• Recognize the signs of heat exhaustion, which could include faintness or dizziness; nausea or vomiting; heavy sweating, often accompanied by cold, clammy skin; weak, rapid pulse; pale or flushed face; muscle cramps; headache, weakness or fatigue. (Source: mayoclinic.org.)
• Learn the first aid for heat exhaustion: Drinking fluids, removing tight or unnecessary clothing, taking a cool shower or bath and applying other cooling measures such as fans, iced towels and air conditioning.
• Recognize the difference between heat exhaustion and heat stroke symptoms. (Unlike heat exhaustion, heat stroke victims typically show red/hot/dry skin and are not sweating.) Heat stroke is much more serious and life-threatening.
Courtesy of the Forest Resources Association: https://forestresources.org/