Resources
What is Heat Stress?
The cause of heat stress is a working environment (indoors or outdoors) which has the potential to overwhelm the body’s ability to deal with heat. This can be caused by factors such as sunshine, humidity, heat from machinery or equipment, lack of air flow, physical exertion and clothing.
Preventing Heat Related Illnesses
A worker performing job functions in a hot environment loses water and salt through sweat. This loss should be compensated by water electrolytes and salt intake which can help to prevent the negative impacts from heat stress and dehydration. Fluid intake should equal fluid loss. Depending on external factors and exertion, an average of approximately one litre of water per hour may be required to replace the fluid lost during work functions. Employers should provide cool drinking water and electrolyte replacements for employees working in environments that have the potential to cause dehydration and heat stress.
The following industries and their typical work environments are at especially high risk of heat stress and dehydration.
Outdoors
- Mining
- Oil and Gas
- Construction
- Roofing
- Agriculture
- Road Repair
- Forestry
- Wildland Firefighting
Indoors
- Warehouses
- Manufacturing Facilities
- Foundries
- Food Processing
- Pulp and Paper
- Steel Mills
- Smelters
- Glass Factories
- Furnaces
HEAT STROKE
Signs
Pale skin, nausea, vomiting, confusion, Fever 40 C/104 F or higher.
Treatment
Medical emergency. Call 911. Remove heavy clothing. Drink small amounts of water/electrolytes.
Prevention
Acclimatization, Drink plenty of water/ electrolytes, Medical screening, Training and education.
HEAT EXHAUSTION
Signs
Headaches, weakness, mood change, feeling sick. Extreme sweating, pale clammy skin.
Treatment
Move to cool, shaded area and loosen heavy clothing, drink cool water/ electrolytes.
Prevention
Acclimatization, drink plenty of water/ electrolytes, training and education.
HEAT CRAMPS
Signs
Painful spasms usually in legs or abdomen, Possibly heavy sweating.
Treatment
Apply firm pressure and massage cramepd area. Rest in cool place and drink water, seek medical attention if cramping is severe.
Prevention
Adequate water and electrolyte/salt intake, training and education.
