Heat Stress

How to Cope with Heat

• Your body is always generating heat and passing it to the environment. The harder your body is working, the more heat it has to lose. When the environment is hot or humid or has a source of radiant heat (a furnace or the sun), your body must work harder to get rid of the heat. If the air is moving and it is cooler than your body, it easier for your body to pass heat to the environment.

Heat Stress

• Heat stress occurs when the body temperature rises to above 38.5C (101.3F) and cannot cool off.
• High temperature, humid, heat generated from equipment, and body heat may contribute to heat stress.
• Heat stress can cause disorders ranging from heat cramps to heat stroke.
• Heat stroke is very serious, as it can be fatal.

Symptoms

• Irrational behavior, hot, dry skin, (with no sweating).
• Loss of consciousness and collapse.
• Co-workers who do not know the symptoms may think the victim is upset, intoxicated, or acting strangely.

Prevention / Recommendation

The following procedure should be followed to prevent heat stress:

• Have cool drinking water available to all workers. Workers should drink approximately one cup of water every 20 minutes.
• Workers should salt food well to replenish salts lost through perspiration (check with your doctor if you are on a low salt diet).
• Wear clothing that is loose fitting, tightly woven, and light in colour to reflect the sunlight.
• Do not consume excessive amounts of alcohol within 24 hours before working in a hot environment.
• In extremely hot conditions, workers should take rest periods out of direct sunlight or heat source more often.
• Workers on medication should check with their doctor before working in extreme temperatures.

FROM CRH

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