Why Heat Stress is a Hazard

Six main factors are involved in causing stress -

1.  temperature
2.  humidity
3.  still air
4.  radiant temperature of
5.  surroundings
6.  person's clothing and physical activity.

Heat stress causes increased sweating, depleting the body's fluid and causing heat intolerance. This reduces work capacity and efficiency, and may increase the risk of
accidents.

Other symptoms of heat stress include nausea, irritability, muscle cramps and dizziness.

People who are overweight, physically unfit, suffer from heart disease, abuse alcohol, or are not acclimatised, are at greater risk of heat stress.
 

Ways to reduce the Hazard

1.   Reduce the heat load by replacing fluid loss.

Drink more water, juices and non-alcoholic drinks.  Drinking 100-200 ml of water at frequent intervals will be adequate to replace fluid lost in sweating.

2.   Rest frequently in a cool place.

3.   Ensure adequate air circulation to help sweat evaporation.

4.   Stay out of the sun as much as possible, especially between 10am and 2pm (11am and

3pm daylight saving).

Control Heat Stress in Sheds
 

• Improve ventilation
• Design shed to allow for natural air currents.
• Install exhaust air duct above each work station, possibly with a wind- driven rotor at the top.
• Install rotating ceiling fans.
• Circulate air using duct fans. NB: makeshift fans attached to rotating shafts are a safety hazard.
• Install a portable evaporative air cooling system with flexible ducting. (An appropriate water supply is required.)

Treat Heat Stress
 

• Rest in the coolest available place.
• Drink cool, but not cold, fluids.
• Contact a doctor, nurse or first aid officer if you do not rapidly improve after fluid replacement and removal from heat.
• Salt tablets should only be taken on the direct advice of a doctor.

Protect Your Skin Against the Sun
 

• Stay out of the summer sun as much as possible, especially between 10am and 2pm (1 lam and 3pm daylight saving).
• Wear protective clothing, i.e. a shady hat and shirt with sleeves.
• Use a sunscreen with a high sun protection factor (SPF 15+) whenever you are in the sun for more than 12-15 minutes.
• Noses, lips, bald heads and backs of hands need extra protection.

Recognise the Signs of Heat Stroke
Heat stroke is a life-threatening condition. Urgent treatment is essential 1 .
 

• dizziness
• headache
• nausea
• changed behaviour, i.e. confusion
• hot, dryskin
• sweating will stop and body temperature will be high (oral temperature 40-43 deg.C).
• Loss of consciousness may occur.

First Aid Send for a doctor

• While awaiting medical aid, try to reduce the temperature of the patient as quickly as possible:
• move the patient to a cool place
• immerse the patient in cold water
• apply ice packs
• increase air movement by fanning.
• If unconscious, lie the patient on one side (coma position)while trying to reduce body temperature.

 

An employer shall provide and maintain so far as is practicable for employees a working environment that is safe and without risks to health.

In order to meet the above requirement, the following points should be considered:

• A supply of cool, clean drinking water should be available.
• Where a connection to a water supply is not possible,it may be provided by other means such as a flask,cooled drink dispenser or waterbag.
• The workplace environment should be kept within a comfortable temperature range to protect employees from thermal stress.
• Mechanical cooling methods or good ventilation should be arranged to reduce the effects of excessive heat.
• Outdoor workers should be protected from the extremes of weather by shades or shelters-and suitable clothing.