Joey M.

Cebanico

Heat Stress
Heat Stress:
The amount of heat to which a worker

body is exposed to based on external and

internal factors:
Environmental Factors ( sun, air
temperature, humidity & temperature of
surrounding )
Body Heat (metabolic)

Bodys
Heat
Balance
System
H

Cooling

Conduction
Convention
Radiation
Evaporation

External
Heat source
Air temp.
Hot surrounding
objects

Internal
Heat source

Muscle activity
Digestion
Breathing

Definition of Terms
Heat is a measure of energy in terms of quantity.
A calorie is the amount of heat required to raise 1
gram of water 1C (based on a standard temperature
of 16.5 to 17.5C).
Conduction is the transfer of heat between materials
that contact each other. Heat passes from the warmer
material to the cooler material. For example, a worker's
skin can transfer heat to a contacting surface if that
surface is cooler, and vice versa.

Convection is the transfer of heat in a moving

fluid. Air flowing past the body can cool the
body if the air temperature is cool. On the
other hand, air that exceeds 35C (95F) can
increase the heat load on the body.
Radiation is the transfer of heat energy
through space. A worker whose body
temperature is greater than the temperature of
the surrounding surfaces radiates heat to these
surfaces. Hot surfaces and infrared light
sources radiate heat that can increase the
body's heat load.

Evaporative cooling takes place when sweat

evaporates from the skin. High humidity
reduces the rate of evaporation and thus
reduces the effectiveness of the body's
primary cooling mechanism.
The American Conference of
Governmental Industrial Hygienists (1992)
states that workers should not be
permitted to work when their deep body
temperature exceeds 38C (100.4F).

The Bodys Cooling

System:

Bodys response to heat can be

compared to your cars cooling
system

Coolant (blood) is circulated by

a pump (heart) from hot inner
core to a radiator (skin cooled
by the evaporation of sweat).
When temperature is increased, it
can be sensed by thermostat
(hypothalamus)
coolant flow is redirected by a
system of pipes, valves and
reservoirs (blood circulation
system).

Normal Cooling Mechanism

controlled by an organ
hypothalamus located in the
centre of brain sends out
hormones which:
change heart rate
start sweating
increase blood flow to the
Hypothalamus
regulates
skin
homeostatic functions:
-body temperature
-thirst/urine output
-food intake

Hypothalamus

When hypothalamus
work well
The core temp drops

Why Cooling Mechanisms

Fail?
1. So much sweat is lost that result
with;
Dehydration
The body cannot cool itself by
sweating and the core
temperature rises
2. Salt loss causes heat cramps
3. So much of the blood flow goes to
the skin that other organs cannot
function properly

What are the health effects

of heat stress?

Heat Cramps
Causes This normally
happens after hard physical
work. Most often to people
who arent used to the heat,
who sweat a lot or dont
Severe
drink enough fluids.
pain and cramps in legs and
Painful muscle cramps,
abdomen, fainting or
usually in legs or abdomen, dizziness, weakness,
warn that heat stress is
profuse sweating and
developing
headaches.
Stop activity,

Symptoms

Treatment

rest in cool place, drink lots of

water or sports beverage

Heat Exhaustion
Causes excessive loss of
body fluids and important salts
in sweat due to overexposure to
high temperatures and
humidity.

Symptoms

Heavy sweating
Worker is pale and tired
Nausea and vomiting
Get to the
Headache, blurred
shade, cool off, drink lots of
vision
water , cold wet towels or ice,
Dizziness and fainting fan and elevate legs above
heart.

Treatment

Heat Stroke
Causes The bodys
temperature regulation
mechanism fails and
sweating stops. The Core
body temperature rises
dramatically
Headache,
nausea, dizziness, skin is red,
dry and very hot (sweating has
ceased). No sweating,
Disorientation, unconsciousness,
convulsions and death.
Remove to
Heat exhaustion
Can progress to cooler location, loosen clothing,
immerse in cool water, wrap in wet
Heat stroke
sheets, cold compresses to the

Symptoms

Treatment:

Heat Stroke

Heat stroke is a medical

emergency and a life threatening
condition

who is at risk?
People with:
Overweight
Very small body size
Physical condition
Lack of heat acclimatization
Heart disease, high blood pressure
Diabetes

Job Risk factors

Factors related to heat stress:
Heavy work
Extended shifts
Heavy clothing
PPE and respirators
Exposure to any toxic agent

Body generates more heat

during heavy work

Heat Stress Controls and

Management:

Cool building/process
Reduce job demands
Provide fans/ventilation in working area
PPE (personal proactive equipment)
Awareness
Drinking lots of water
Encourage drinking (Babylyte / rehydration drinks)

THANK
YOU