When the weather is hot, keep a cool mind. Starting Thursday, September 7th members of the Ingalls Safety team, along with Culture Connectors,will hand out icy treats around the shipyard. Cold bottles of water are also available throughout the week in bins located throughout the yard.
Stay hydrated and know the signs of heat stress. Symptoms include: muscle cramps, weakness or fatigue, light-headedness, dizziness, blurry vision, trouble focusing, nausea, excessive sweating, pale or flushed complexion, or fast and shallow breathing.
Left unchecked, heat stress can lead to heat exhaustion, heat stroke, heart attack, heat cramps or heat rashes.
Stop heat stress with these tips:
- Hydrate yourself well before the beginning of your shift. Drink water frequently (approx. 1 cup every 15-20 min., one gallon a day).
- Avoid alcohol, caffeine, and drinks with large amounts of sugar.
- Wear light-colored and breathable clothing when possible.
- Monitor yourself and coworkers for signs of heat stress.
- Get plenty of rest.
- Listen to your body. Stop and take five if you feel you are getting overheated.
If you or a coworker are suffering from these symptoms, please get help immediately. Emergency first responders can be reached by dialing 911 from any Ingalls phone, or by dialing 228-935-6101 from a cell phone.