Suspected exertional heat stroke: A case study of worker cooling in a hot and humid field environment.

BACKGROUND

In the event of a severe occupational heat-related illness, paramedic assistance may not be immediately available. A worker's survival may depend on their co-workers access to efficacious field-based cooling modalities. One cooling method that has been claimed to be practical in field-based settings is the ice towel method.

OBJECTIVES

This case study assessed the practicality of the ice towel method in an industrial setting, where criteria for use include cost effectiveness, portability, scalability, and implementation by a single worker under the stress of an emergency.

METHODS

This case study describes the emergency application of the ice towel method while awaiting paramedics, for a worker suffering suspected exertional heat stroke on a remote job site.

RESULTS

Ice towels were able to be transported to a remote field site and applied successfully by a single worker under the stress of a potentially life-threatening emergency.

CONCLUSIONS

The ice towel method was cost effective, scalable, transportable, and rapidly applied in a field-based emergency. This case study demonstrates the importance of organizations assessing their heat-related risks, and determining controls based upon their efficacy and practicality for their unique setting.