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WORKING IN HOT WEATHER – increases the risk of overheating and
INFORMATION AND SAFETY TIPS becoming dehydrated. Learn the
Hot weather brings symptoms of heat stress, treatment
the risk of protocol and prevention measures so you
experiencing heat- can protect yourself and others around you
related disorders (see the attached table#1).
ranging from heat
rash to more serious Workers generally at highest risk of
health disorders suffering a heat-related disorder are
including fainting, those who:
heat exhaustion and heat stroke. The • Work outdoors and/or in close
human body copes in hot environments proximity to significant heat
to maintain internal temperature sources such as furnaces, ovens
equilibrium by: or hot asphalt.
• Perform strenuous work as this
• Sweating (to cool the body by contributes to the body’s overall
evaporation) heat burden.
• Increasing blood flow to the • Don’t take regular breaks in
extremities and cooler areas (e.g. shady or air-
• Increasing breathing rate. conditioned area).
• Don’t consume enough fluids.
Although these place stress on the body, • Are susceptible because of a
sweating combined with inadequate medical condition.
fluid replacement is the biggest culprit • Ignore symptoms of heat stress.
when it comes to suffering serious,
adverse health effects. Sweating can
lead to dehydration and subsequent
complications. At high humidity levels,
the body’s ability to cool itself through
sweat evaporation is reduced, and this
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HEAT STRESS AND INDOOR
WORKERS
For indoor office-type workers, the risk • Wear light coloured and
of heat stress is usually minimal because lightweight clothing.
of the relatively low physical effort • Keep hydrated by drinking
required to perform tasks; the absence plenty of cool fluids (preferably
of significant heat sources; cooling water). Drink at least one cup
provided by fans or building air- every 20 minutes - even if you
conditioning systems and the aren’t thirsty!
availability of water. However, higher • Take rest breaks in cool or shady
than normal outside heat and humidity areas.
levels often strain the effectiveness of • If you must work outside, try to
building air-conditioning systems and, avoid working in the peak
under such conditions, indoor temperatures.
temperatures can become • Schedule work for cooler periods
uncomfortable, but this generally does of the day (early morning or
not pose a significant risk to healthy evening).
individuals. • Reduce the amount of physical
effort required to perform
Humidex Rating strenuous tasks.
A widely used measure to provide heat • Seek medical attention if you feel
stress awareness for the general dizzy or light headed.
population is Environment Canada’s • Watch for signs of heat stress in
“Humidex” rating. The Humidex is a co-workers.
subjective rating of how hot the • Never ignore signs of heat stress.
temperature “feels” based on various • Contact your supervisor if you
combinations of temperature and have concerns regarding working
relative humidity. The general ratings in the heat.
are summarized in the chart on page 4.
Note: Humidex ratings heard on the HEAT STRESS LINKS
radio or printed in the paper refer to the
outdoor conditions. Using the Humidex Click to view Environment Canada's
rating for indoor conditions requires Humidex Documentation and Calculator
measuring the temperature and relative
humidity indoors to determine the Click here to view the Ministry of Labour's
Humidex.
Guideline on Heat Stress
COPING WITH HOT WEATHER
Here are some tips to help you cope Click here to view CCOHS Information on
with hot, humid weather and protect Humidex
yourself from heat stress:
Table
#1
HEAT
STRESS
SYMPTOMS,
TREATMENT
AND
PREVENTION1
1
Ministry of Labour Heat Stress Health and Safety Guide, 2007
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Cause Symptoms Treatment Prevention
Heat Hot humid Red bumpy rash Change into dry Wash regularly to
Rash environment; with severe clothes and avoid keep skin clean
plugged sweat itching. hot environments. and dry.
glands. Rinse skin with
cool water.
Sunburn Too much Red, painful, or If the skin Work in the shade;
exposure to the blistering and blisters, seek cover skin with
sun. peeling skin. medical aid. Use clothing; apply skin
skin lotions (avoid lotions with a sun
topical protection factor of
anaesthetics) and at least 15. People
work in the with fair skin
shade. should be
especially cautious.
Heat Heavy sweating Painful cramps in Move to a cool Reduce activity
Cramps drains a person's arms, legs or area; loosen levels and/or heat
body of salt, stomach which clothing and drink exposure. Drink
which cannot be occur suddenly at cool salted water fluids regularly.
replaced just by work or later at (1 tsp. salt per Workers should
drinking water. home. gallon of water) check on each
Heat cramps are or commercial other to help spot
serious because fluid replacement the symptoms that
they can be a beverage. If the often precede heat
warning of other cramps are stroke.
more dangerous severe or don't go
heat-induced away, seek
illnesses. medical aid.
Fainting Fluid loss and Sudden fainting GET MEDICAL Reduce activity
inadequate water after at least two ATTENTION. levels and/or heat
intake. hours of work; cool Assess need for exposure. Drink
moist skin; weak CPR. Move to a fluids regularly.
pulse. cool area; loosen Workers should
clothing; make check on each
person lie down; other to help spot
and if the person the symptoms that
is conscious, offer often precede heat
sips of cool water. stroke.
Fainting may also
be due to other
illnesses.
Heat Fluid loss and Heavy sweating; GET MEDICAL Reduce activity
Exhaust inadequate salt cool moist skin; AID. This levels and/or heat
ion and water intake body temperature condition can lead exposure. Drink
causes a person's over 38°C; weak to heat stroke, fluids regularly.
body's cooling pulse; normal or which can kill. Workers should
system to start to low blood Move the person check on each
break down. pressure; person is to a cool shaded other to help spot
tired and weak, area; loosen or the symptoms that
and has nausea remove excess often precede heat
and vomiting; is clothing; provide stroke.
very thirsty; or is cool water to
panting or drink; fan and
breathing rapidly; spray with cool
vision may be water.
blurred.
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Table
#2
HUMIDEX
RATINGS
Please contact the Occupational Health
and Safety Department at extension
2225 or 2246 if you have any questions
regarding working in the heat.
Remember to always…
Think Safe! Be Safe!
Occupational Health & Safety Office
Released: June 12, 2008
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