Heat Stress Awareness

Categories: News

Summertime is quickly approaching, and May is Heat Stress Awareness Month. Environmental Health & Safety would like to keep the Charlotte campus community aware of Heat Stress warning signs. Extended exposure to heat and high humidity can lead to heat related illness and injury. We encourage the campus community to stay hydrated, take a break in the shade, and be aware of your body’s warning signals. Your body typically cools itself by sweating. During hot weather, especially with high humidity, sweating is not enough. Your body temperature can rise to dangerous levels if safety precautions are not taken. Heat Stress warning signs may include:

  • Headache
  • Nausea
  • Dizziness/Weakness
  • Thirst
  • Irritability
  • Heavy sweating
  • Elevated body temperature

Common heat related illnesses and injuries include, but are not limited to, heat stroke, heat exhaustion, heat cramps, heat rash, and heat syncope. EHS reminds the campus community to………. Beat the heat and take a seat!

Resources:

Beat the Heat: Staying Safe from Heat Stress on Campus

Heat Stress Incident Prevention

OSHA -NIOSH Heat Safety Tool

Preventing Heat Related Illness at Work