HAZWOPER: Heat Stress

Do your hazardous material handlers know how to protect themselves from heat-related illnesses when working in fully-enclosed, chemical-proof suits with self-contained air supplies? Heat stress and heat stroke are real dangers for people working in such environments. This Video On Demand explains how the body regulates its temperature, and how that capability is compromised by the type of protective gear these workers use and the restrictions posed by their work environment. When the body is unable to shed heat, the chances for heat stress escalate. If symptoms of heat stress, which can be mild to life-threatening, are ignored, potentially deadly heat stroke can occur.

Knowing how often to take post-decontamination breaks, and what kinds of fluids to consume in what quantity helps workers avoid heat-induced illnesses. This training explains the symptoms of heat rash or prickly heat, heat cramps, and heat exhaustion, and discusses immediate treatments and when to contact a doctor. If symptoms of heat stress are ignored or improperly treated, heat stroke can occur leading to brain injury or death. Those working in contaminated areas who succumb to heat stroke face extra danger because emergency first aid cannot be rendered until they are decontaminated. Viewers learn to call an ambulance and take measures to cool heat stroke victims until help arrives.

Equip your employees with the knowledge of how to dress, eat, acclimatize to their PPE, replenish their body’s fluids and minerals, cool down and recognize when their co-workers are overheating. Protect them from their body’s compromised ability to help itself due to the nature of the work they perform. This video should be required for anyone who works in, or manages workers in hazardous materials operations. A short training can save lives and your corporate reputation.

This heat stress training has been updated to include GHS container labels and Safety Data Sheets (SDS) for GHS compliance.

   This course is in the Video On Demand format, to read about Video On Demand features click here.

Anyone working with or around hazardous wastes

• Introduction
• How Your Body Cools Itself
• Fluids And Minerals
• Heat Rash, Cramps And Exhaustion
• Heat Stroke
• First Aid
• Acclimatization
• Medications, Food And Clothing
• Conclusion

• Collecting Processing and Recycling Universal Waste in California - Full Program
• HAZWOPER: Site Safety and Health Plan
• HAZWOPER: Personal Protective Equipment and Decontamination Procedures