The body continuously produces heat through its metabolic
processes. Because the body processes are designed to
operate only within a very narrow range of temperature, the
body must dissipate this heat as rapidly as it is produced if it
is to function efficiently. A sensitive and rapidly acting set of
temperature-sensing devices in the body must also control
the rates of its temperature-regulating processes. (This
mechanism is described in Chapter 3, The Skin and Occupational
Dermatoses.)
Heat stress is a common problem, as are the problems
presented by a very cold environment. Evaluation of heat
stress in a work environment is not simple. Considerably
more is involved than simply taking a number of airtemperature
measurements and making decisions on the
basis of this information.
One question that must be asked is whether the temperature
is merely causing discomfort or whether continued
exposure will cause the body temperature to fall below or rise
above safe limits. It is difficult for a person with only a clipboard
full of data to interpret how another person actually
feels or is adversely affected.
Heat cramps can result from exposure to high temperature
for a relatively long time, particularly if accompanied
by heavy exertion, with excessive loss of salt and moisture
from the body. Even if the moisture is replaced by drinking
plenty of water, an excessive loss of salt can cause heat
cramps or heat exhaustion.
Heat exhaustion can also result from physical exertion in
a hot environment. Its signs are a mildly elevated temperature,
pallor, weak pulse, dizziness, profuse sweating, and
cool, moist skin.
The body continuously produces heat through its metabolicprocesses. Because the body processes are designed tooperate only within a very narrow range of temperature, thebody must dissipate this heat as rapidly as it is produced if itis to function efficiently. A sensitive and rapidly acting set oftemperature-sensing devices in the body must also controlthe rates of its temperature-regulating processes. (Thismechanism is described in Chapter 3, The Skin and OccupationalDermatoses.)Heat stress is a common problem, as are the problemspresented by a very cold environment. Evaluation of heatstress in a work environment is not simple. Considerablymore is involved than simply taking a number of airtemperaturemeasurements and making decisions on thebasis of this information.One question that must be asked is whether the temperatureis merely causing discomfort or whether continuedexposure will cause the body temperature to fall below or riseabove safe limits. It is difficult for a person with only a clipboardfull of data to interpret how another person actuallyfeels or is adversely affected.Heat cramps can result from exposure to high temperaturefor a relatively long time, particularly if accompaniedby heavy exertion, with excessive loss of salt and moisturefrom the body. Even if the moisture is replaced by drinkingplenty of water, an excessive loss of salt can cause heatcramps or heat exhaustion.Heat exhaustion can also result from physical exertion ina hot environment. Its signs are a mildly elevated temperature,pallor, weak pulse, dizziness, profuse sweating, andcool, moist skin.
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