Guidelines for implementing heat stress prevention measures include :- Engineering controls – ensure work areas are adequately ventilated
- Consider physical conditions in the workplace, including ambient air temperature, radiant heat, air movement and high humidity. Those who are overweight, out of shape, over 40-years old, have pre-existing medical conditions, on medication that blocks sweating, abuse drugs or alcohol or have had heat stress before are at particular risk of heat stress.
- Consider physiological factors. Some employees are more susceptible to heat stress. Consider all factors that can elevate the risk of heat stress, including age, weight, physical fitness level, existing medical conditions and any past heat-related injuries.
- Educate employees about the dangers. Heat illness does not strike without warning. There are signs and symptoms associated with the various forms of heat illness, e.g. heat cramps, heat rashes, heat exhaustion or fatigue and, the most dangerous, heat stroke, collectively referred to as “heat stress.”
Recognizing heat stress Heat cramps are painful muscle spasms caused by loss of salt from excessive sweating. If an employee is experiencing heat cramps: - Get the victim to rest in a cool place.
- Give the victim a cool drink sprinkled with salt as well as some sort of salty food. Do not give salt tablets!
- Remove wet or tight clothing that may be restricting blood flow to the affected area.
- If cramps continue, seek medical help.
Heat exhaustion is a more advanced and serious stage of heat stress. Symptoms of heat exhaustion include general fatigue; weakness and poor muscle control; dizziness, fainting and visual disturbances; headache and nausea; pale, cool, clammy skin or heavy sweating; cramps, and rapid pulse and breathlessness Heat stoke is a condition in which the body’s temperature rises above 41 C and, if left untreated, can immediately result in coma, brain damage or death. Symptoms of heat stroke include hot, dry flushed skin, usually with no sweating; agitation and confusion; headache, nausea and vomiting; irregular pulse; rapid, shallow breathing; possible seizure and loss of consciousness, and possible shock and cardiac arrest. Seek medical attention at once if an employee is experiencing heat exhaustion or stroke as both are life threatening! While waiting for help to arrive: - Check the victim’s airway, breathing and circulation; give CPR, if needed.
- Cool the victim with a sponge or spray; cover ice packs with cold wet cloths and place under armpits and groin; fan the victim
- Move victim to cool area
- Loosen or remove victim’s outer clothing
- If conscious, give the victim a cool drink sprinkled with salt as well as some sort of salty food; do not give salt tablets!
Preventing heat stress To guard against heat stress: - Drink about two glasses (half-litre) of water before starting work and one glass every 20 minutes while working.
- Wear loose clothes made of cotton, silk and other fabrics that let air pass through. Wear temperature-controlled, or anti-radiant heat, or reflective clothing.
- Allow for acclimatization when starting a new job or returning after a prolonged absence.
All persons working in hot conditions must receive adequate training and education so that they are able to recognize early warning signs and symptoms of heat-related illness, especially heat stroke. While such education isn’t just required by law, it can mean the difference between life and death. Trained employees can identify the symptoms of heat stress, both in themselves and others, and initiate the appropriate first aid measures needed to respond quickly.
About the author 
Carola Hicks is CEO of Workplace Safety Group, providing leading-edge, online and in-class health and safety consultation and training programs to associations and specialty industries across Canada. Carola can be reached at [email protected].
| |
