Severe cases involving victims who vomit or lose consciousness may require longer treatment under medical supervision. Heat cramps, painful spasms of the bone muscles, are caused when workers drink large quantities of water but fail to replace their bodies salt loss. Tired muscles, those used for performing the work, are usually the ones most susceptible to cramps. Cramps may occur during or after working hours and may be relieved by taking salted liqids by mouth or saline solutions intravenously for quicker relief, if medically determined to be required. Fainting may be a problem for the worker unacclimatized to a hot environment who simply stands still in the heat.
Victims usually recover quickly after a brief period of lying down.
Moving around, rather that standing still, will usually reduce the possibility of fainting. Heat rash, also known as prickly heat, may occur in hot and humid environments where sweat is not easily removed from the surface of the skin by evaporation. When extensive or complicated by infection, heat rash can be so uncomfortable that it inhibits sleep and impairs a worker s performance or even results in temporary total disability. It can be prevented by showering, resting in a cool place, and allowing the skin to dry. Preventing Heat Disorders One of the best ways to reduce heat stress on workers is to minimize heat in the workplace.