What Is Heat Stress?
Working where it is hot puts stress on our body's cooling system. When the heat is combined with other stresses such as hard physical work, loss of fluids, fatigue or some medical conditions, it may lead to heat-related illness, disability and even death. This can happen to anybody--even if you are young and fit. In Ontario, heat stress is usually a concern during the summer. This is especially true early in the season, when people are not used to the heat.
How We Cope with Heat
Controlling Heat Stress - Modifying Work and the Environment
- assess the demands of all jobs and have monitoring and control strategies in place for hot days
- increase the frequency and length of rest breaks
- schedule hot jobs to cooler times of the day
- provide cool drinking water near workers and remind them to drink a cup every 20 minutes or so
- workers should salt their food well, particularly while they are acclimatizing to a hot job (workers with a low salt diet should discuss this with their doctor)
- assign additional workers or slow down work pace
- make sure everyone is properly acclimatized
- train workers to recognize the signs and symptoms of heat stress and start a 'buddy system' since people are not likely to notice their own symptoms
- workers with a medical condition should discuss working in the heat with their doctor
Heat Stress Hazards - Heat Rash
Hot humid environment; plugged sweat glands.
SYMPTOMS
Red bumpy rash with severe itching.
TREATMENT
Changes into dry clothes and avoid hot environments. Rinse skin with cool water.
PREVENTION
Wash regularly to keep skin clean and dry.
Heat Stress Hazards - Sunburn
Too much exposure to the sun.
SYMPTOMS
Red, painful, or blistering and peeling skin.
TREATMENT
If the skin blisters, seek medical aid. Use skin lotions (avoid topical anaesthetics) and work in the shade.
PREVENTION
Work in the shade: cover skin with clothing; wear suntan lotions with a sun protection factor of at least 15. People with fair skin should be especially cautious.
Heat Stress Hazards - Heat Cramps
Heavy sweating drains a person's body of salt, which cannot be replaced just by drinking water.
SYMPTOMS
Painful cramps in arms, legs or stomach which occur suddenly at work or later at home. Cramps are serious because they can be a warning of other more dangerous heat-induced illnesses.
TREATMENT
Move to a cool area; loosen clothing and drink cool salted water (1 tsp. Salt per gallon of water) or commercial fluid replacement beverage. If the cramps are severe or don't go away, seek medical aid.
PREVENTION
When working in the heat, workers should put salt on their food (if on a low-salt diet, this should be discussed with a doctor). This will give the body all the salt it needs; don't take salt tablets.
Heat Stress Hazards - Fainting
Not enough blood flowing to the head, causing loss of consciousness.
SYMPTOMS
Sudden fainting after at least two hours of work; cool moist skin; weak pulse.
TREATMENT
Fainting may be due to a heart attack or other illness. GET MEDICAL ATTENTION. Assess need for CPR. Move to a cool area; loosen clothing; make person lie down; and if the person is conscious, offer sips of cool water.
PREVENTION
Reduce activity levels and/or heat exposure. Drink fluids regularly. Workers should check on each other to help spot the symptoms which often precede heat stroke.
Heat Stress Hazards - Heat Exhaustion
Inadequate salt and water intake causes a person's body's cooling system to start to break down.
SYMPTOMS
Heavy sweating; cool moist skin; body temperature over 38°C; weak pulse; normal or low blood pressure; person is tired, weak, clumsy, upset or confused; is very thirsty; or is panting or breathing rapidly, vision may be blurred.
TREATMENT
GET MEDICAL AID. This condition can lead to heat stroke, which can kill. Move the person to a cool shaded areas; loosen or remove excess clothing; provide cool water to drink (salted if possible); fan and spray with cool water.
PREVENTION
Reduce activity levels and/or heat exposure. Drink fluids regularly. Workers should check on each other to help spot the symptoms which often precede heat stroke.
Heat Stress Hazards - Heat Stoke
If a person's body has used up all its water and salt, it will stop sweating. This can cause body temperature to rise.
SYMPTOMS
High body temperature (over 41°C) and any one of the following: the person is weak, confused, upset or acting strangely; has hot, dry, red skin; a fast pulse; a headache or dizziness. In later stages, a person may pass out and have convulsions.
TREATMENT
CALL AMBULANCE. This condition can kill a person quickly. Remove excess clothing; fan and spray the person with cool water; offer sips of cool water if the person is conscious.
PREVENTION
Reduce activity levels and/or heat exposure. Drink fluids regularly. Workers should check on each other to help spot the symptoms which often precede heat stroke.
Heat Stress Vids
Other Health & Safety Lenses
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Hypothermia
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Bee Careful
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Emergency First Aid
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Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR)
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Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) is a lifesaving technique useful in many emergencies, including heart attack or near drowning, in which someone's breathing or heartbeat has stopped. CPR involves a combination of mouth-to-mouth rescue breathing an...
