Heat Stress – the dangers of summer

18 December 2014

As we move into the summer months, we need consider our outdoor workers and the increased risk of heat
and heat stress. Those most at risk of heat stress include outdoor workers such as maintenance personnel,
greens keepers, gardeners, courtesy bus drivers and cleaners. Other workers who can also be affected are
those working in hot areas such as kitchens. Those who fall into high risk categories include:
• Workers 55 years of age or older;
• Overweight workers;
• Workers that have heart disease or high blood pressure; and
• Workers who take medications that may be affected by extreme heat.
Exposure to extreme heat can result in heat stroke, heat exhaustion, cramps, or rashes.

Hot weather can also interfere with work equipment such as causing eye wear to become fogged up, loss of
grip and control over equipment due to sweaty palms, increased temperature on certain surfaces, glare and
heat-induced fatigue.

Prevention of heat stress in workers is important and it’s vital to educate your employees so they can
understand what heat stress is, recognise the signs and how they can prevent it. Having procedures in place
can minimise the risk of incidents occurring, therefore protecting your bottom line.

Types of Heat Stress

Heat Stroke

Heat stroke extremely serious as it can come on quickly and if not dealt with quickly, has serious repercussions. In extreme
situations, it can lead to death.
Heat Stroke is when our body is no longer able to regulate its temperature. As a result, the body’s temperature rises rapidly.
When this happens, the sweating mechanism fails and the body is unable to cool down. When heat stroke occurs, the body
temperature can rise to 41°C or higher within 10 to 15 minutes. Heat stroke can cause death or permanent disability if
emergency treatment is not given.

Heat Exhaustion

Heat exhaustion is the body’s response to an excessive loss of the water and salt, usually through excessive sweating.
Workers most prone to heat exhaustion are those that are elderly, have high blood pressure, and those working in a hot
environment.

Putting protections in place to educate your workers will help to prevent issues such as this occurring. See below for some
simple guidelines:

As an employer, you should take the following steps to protect workers from heat stress:

•Schedule maintenance and repairs and gardening, green keeping in the early in the day.
•Reduce the physical demands of workers, by ensure that they have regular rest periods throughout the day.
•Ensure that extra workers for physically demanding jobs are available to lighten the workload.
•Provide cool water to workers. (workers operating in hot areas should be drinking around 1 cup every 15
minutes to replenish the body’s supply).
•Provide cool shaded areas for use during break periods.
•Monitor workers when working outdoors and in potentially hot areas.
•Provide hats and sunscreen (SPF 15 – 30+) and ensure that workers use this.
•Provide summer and winter uniforms to ensure that appropriate clothing is worn. (Summer uniforms should
be made of breathable materials such as cotton).
•Provide training about heat stress that includes information about:
•Worker risk
•Prevention
•Symptoms
•The importance of monitoring yourself and co-workers for symptoms
•Treatment
•Personal protective equipment
 Following these guidelines will ensure that you maintain a safe workplace, avoid placing your workers at risk and show
your employees that you care about their well-being.

Treatment for Heat Exhaustion

If you, or anyone else, has symptoms of heat exhaustion, it's essential to immediately get out of
the heat and rest, preferably in an air-conditioned room. If you can't get inside, try to find the
nearest cool and shady place.
Other recommended strategies include:
Drink plenty of fluids, especially sports drinks to replace lost salt (avoid caffeine and
alcohol).
Remove any tight or unnecessary clothing.
Take a cool shower, bath, or sponge bath.
Apply other cooling measures such as fans or ice towels.

The most common signs and symptoms of heat exhaustion include:

• Confusion.
• Dark-colored urine (a sign of dehydration)
• Dizziness.
• Fainting.
• Fatigue.
• Headache.
• Muscle or abdominal cramps.
• Nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea.

How do you know if you have heat stroke?

Lack of sweating despite the heat. Red, hot, and dry skin. Muscle weakness or cramps. Nausea and vomiting.

Can heat cause a stroke?

Heat stroke is also sometimes referred to as heatstroke or sun stroke. ... Anothercause of heat stroke is dehydration. A dehydrated
person may not be able to sweat fast enough to dissipate heat, which causes the body temperature to rise.May 18, 2018

How long does it take to recover from heat exhaustion?

Recovery time. In most people, symptoms of heat exhaustion will start to improve within 30 minutes. However, if symptoms do not improve
after 30–60 minutes, seek medical attention. A doctor will treat heat exhaustion with one or two liters of intravenous (IV) fluids and
electrolytes

Heatstroke can occur without any previous heat-related condition, such as heat exhaustion.
Heatstroke signs and symptoms include:

•Fever of 104 F (40 C) or greater

•Changes in mental status or behavior, such as confusion, agitation, slurred speech
•Hot, dry skin or heavy sweating
•Nausea and vomiting
•Flushed skin
•Rapid pulse
•Rapid breathing
 •Headache
•Fainting, which may be the first sign in older adults

Seek emergency medical care

If you suspect heatstroke, call 911 or your local emergency number. Then immediately move the
person out of the heat, remove excess clothing, and cool him or her by whatever means available, for
example:

•Place in a tub of cool water or a cool shower.

•Spray with a garden hose.
•Sponge with cool water.
•Fan while misting with cool water.
•Place ice packs or cool wet towels on the neck, armpits and groin.
•Cover with cool damp sheets.
Let the person drink cool water to rehydrate, if he or she is able. Don't give sugary, caffeinated or
alcoholic beverages to a person with heatstroke. Also avoid very cold drinks, as these can cause
stomach cramps.

Begin CPR if the person loses consciousness and shows no signs of circulation, such as breathing,
coughing or movement.