As we approach the summer it’s the time of year that Minuteman Parking Company wants to remind everyone of ways to protect ourselves from heat related illness. We work in a variety of environments and since we work outdoors we have to be prepared for the heat and what can happen if we do not take the proper precautions. What is Heat Stress? What is Heat Exhaustion? What is Heat Stroke?  This month we are going to be discussing what can lead up to these Heat related illness and how we can prevent them.

 

OSHA states that when your body is unable to cool itself by sweating, several heat-induced illnesses such as heat stress or heat exhaustion and the more severe heat stroke can occur, and can result in death.

 

What is Heat Stress?

Heat Stress: A variety of problems associated with very warm temperatures and high humidity. Heat stress is a condition marked by weakness, nausea, dizziness, and profuse sweating that results from physical exertion in a hot environment.

 

Factors Leading to Heat Stress:

«     High Temperatures and humidity

«     Direct sun or heat

«     Limited air movement

«     Physical exertion

«     Poor physical condition

«     Some Medicines

«     Inadequate tolerance for hot workplaces

 

What is Heat Exhaustion?

Heat exhaustion: A warning that the body is getting too hot. The person may be thirsty, giddy, weak, uncoordinated, nauseous, and sweating profusely. The body temperature is usually normal and the pulse is normal or raised. The skin is cold and clammy. Although heat exhaustion often is caused by the body’s loss of water and salt; salt supplements should only be taken with advice from a doctor.          

 

Factors Leading to Heat Exhaustion:

«     Headaches, dizziness, lightheadedness or fainting

«     Weakness and moist skin

«     Mood changes such as irritability or confusion

«     Upset stomach or vomiting

 

What is Heat Stroke?

Heat stroke: A severe condition caused by impairment of the body’s temperature-regulating abilities, resulting from prolonged exposure to excessive heat and characterized by cessation of sweating, severe headache, high fever, hot dry skin, and in serious cases collapse and coma.

Factors Leading to Heat Stroke:

«     Dry Hot Skin with no sweating

«     Mental confusion or losing consciousness

«     Seizures or convulsions

 

How can you prevent heat stress from happening? 

«     Learn the signs and symptoms of heat-related illness.

«     Monitor yourself and your coworkers.

«     Block out direct sun or other heat sources

«     Use Cooling fans/air-conditioning and rest regularly

«     Drink lots of water

«     Wear lightweight, light colored and loose fitting clothing

«     Avoid drinking Alcohol and caffeinated drinks

 

What to do you DO for Heat-Related Illness:

«     Call 911

While waiting for help to arrive you should do the following.

«     Move to a cool shaded place

«     Loosen or remove heavy clothing

«     Provide cool water to the person who is showing signs of heat-related illness

«     Fan and mist the person showing signs of heat-related illness with water.

 

If you have any questions on heat-related illness please ask your manager. As the days get warmer you need to remember to take your breaks and keep yourself hydrated. If at anytime you feel that you starting to show signs of a heat-related illness contact your Manager or Driveway Ambassador for help immediately.

At Minuteman Parking Company we have valets who drive guest vehicles and Shuttle Drivers that transports guests and patients. It is common knowledge that the number one cause of work-related fatalities is vehicle accidents. As a valet or shuttle driver you face the hazards of the roadway day after day.  Sometimes a trip may end tragically.

 

Now cellular phones threaten to increase the accident potential for all drivers.  As the cellular phones advance with technology we see new threats that come with using your cell phones while working. Minuteman Parking Company’s policy states that valets, shuttle drivers and cashiers must leave their cell phone in their vehicles while they are at work. According to one research study, the use of cellular phones while driving has increased the risk of being involved in an accident by 34%. The US Department of Transportation reports an increased number of complaints about drivers talking on their cellular phones while operating a vehicle. Critics of these studies argue that the research is poor. But in most States you can be fined talking on your cellular phone with a hands free device and in other states you can be fined for texting.  People say that having a cellular phone in a vehicle is an advantage when there is an emergency.

 

What do you think?

 

Some hazards that have been associated with cellular phone use include:    

• Passengers in the car often alert drivers to dangerous situations. The person you are talking to does not know what the situations are that you are dealing with.
• People who are on the phone are more likely to have intense conversations which will distract them from driving the vehicle properly.
• Users are said to be distracted and not driving defensively. The driver is less responsive to the traffic situations.
• Drivers who are on the phone are said to have a longer response time to traffic situations.

 

Here are a few safety reminders

• Leave your cell phone in your vehicle while you are at work.
• If you are on your 30 minute meal break and driving your vehicle keep your phone conversations short and sweet.
• If you are driving to work and you are in tricky traffic situations hang up your phone.
• Safe driving takes precedence over telephone etiquette.
• Try to resist dialing a number while driving in heavy traffic. Wait till you are at a stop light.
• Keep even more distance between you and the vehicle in front of you if your cellular phone.
• Remember in most states like California, you have to use a “hands-free” device. If you do not have one then you should not be using your cellular phone while driving.

 

All drivers are at risk of having a vehicle accident before, during or after work, and the use of a cell phone may increase this risk. Concentrate on the above reminders! Don’t become a statistic!