Heat Exhaustion & Stress Management

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Its important to review the best methods to stay cool at work as heat-related diseases are a matter for concern. If you work outside planting trees, inside a mill, or year-round in hot environments like bakers, manufacturing facilities, or underground mines, be aware that serious heat-related disorders like extreme heat can develop days after depletion from exposure to extreme temperatures.

What is heat exhaustion?

As a reaction to your body overheating, you may have heat exhaustion, which has symptoms including heavy perspiration and a fast heartbeat. It is one of three heat-related disorders, the mildest of which is heat cramps, and the most serious of which is heatstroke. Excessive physical exertion and tolerance to high temperatures, especially when paired with high humidity, are causes of heat exhaustion. Heatstroke, a potentially fatal disease, can result from heat exhaustion if it is not treated quickly. Thankfully, heat exhaustion may be avoided.

Main cause:

Your core temperature, or internal body temperature, is the product of the heat produced by your body and the heat produced by the surroundings. In order to keep your core temperature normal, which is around 98.6 degrees Fahrenheit, your body must manage the heat input (and, in cold conditions, heat loss) from the environment.


Some symptoms of heat exhaustion:

  • Extremely high body temperature
  • Hot, dry, skin
  • Increased heart and respiration rates
  • Throbbing headache, nausea or vomiting
  • Muscle cramps
  • Weakness, fainting, or dizziness

What to do if you found the above symptoms:

  • Seek medical care
  • Move to an air-conditioned space or at least a cool, shady location
  • Remove any excess clothes
  • Drink lots of cold water
  • Use a fan and cool water sprays


How to protect you from heat stress:

  • Maintain a healthy weight
  • Prevent working in hot weather and direct sunlight
  • Take regular breaks
  • Use sunscreen with at least SPF 15 and reapply every two hours
  • Cover up with a long sleeve shirt and hat.
  • Increase your fluid intake
  • Abstain from alcohol and excessive coffee
  • Reduce your activities when it's hot outside
  • Use a buddy system to monitor your symptoms
  • Up your salt consumption

How employers can protect workers against heat stress:

  • Educate staff members on heat stress and CPR
  • Provide access to water
  • Offer pauses for rest and cool rest spaces.
  • Post a urine color chart in the bathrooms to promote hydration
  • Remind employees to be active and to drink water
  • Provide fans inside for air circulation.
  • Work that requires a lot of physical effort should be automated and scheduled for cooler periods of the day.

References

Avelino, J. (21 Octomber, 2012). safety-topics-for-work. Retrieved 28 November, 2022, from edapp: https://www.edapp.com/blog/safety-topics-for-work/

mayoclinic. (2021, July 1). Heat exhaustion. Retrieved December 2, 2022, from mayoclinic: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/heat-exhaustion/symptoms-causes/syc-20373250

workplacesafetynorth. (13 May, 2022). how-manage-heat-stress-workplace. Retrieved 29 November, 2022, from workplacesafetynorth: https://www.workplacesafetynorth.ca/news/news-post/how-manage-heat-stress-workplace


Comments

  1. ArunaDecember 1, 2022 at 7:43 AM

    As you stated Permit water and rest breaks if a worker feels uncomfortable from the heat. Change work/rest intervals to allow the body to expel extra heat. Give new and unaccustomed employees shorter workdays and more frequent, longer breaks.

    ReplyDelete
  2. ArunaDecember 1, 2022 at 7:45 AM

    As you stated Permit water and rest breaks if a worker feels uncomfortable from the heat. Change work/rest intervals to allow the body to expel extra heat. Give new and unaccustomed employees shorter workdays and more frequent, longer breaks.

    ReplyDelete
  3. wimalDecember 1, 2022 at 4:37 PM

    Top management have more responsibility to reduce stress of heat environment and give solution for this problem

    ReplyDelete
  4. Asfara BanuDecember 2, 2022 at 1:24 AM

    As you discussed educating the employees on these aspects is extremely important. How often employees should be educated on this and don't you think this should be part of employee induction?

    ReplyDelete
  5. Udara DilshanDecember 2, 2022 at 8:44 AM

    Empoyers should ensure the workers are aware of the risks of heat stress associated with their work and ensure they understand the symptoms to look out for.training and education is much essential.

    ReplyDelete
  6. MadushaDecember 2, 2022 at 10:26 PM

    It's important to review the best ways to stay cool at work as heat-related illnesses are a matter for concern. Remember that dehydration from exposure to high temperatures can lead to serious heat-related disorders including heat exhaustion for several days.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Nandun NarayanaDecember 2, 2022 at 10:45 PM

    Very insightful article. Looking forward to seeing more like this.

    ReplyDelete
  8. shamini jayasingheDecember 3, 2022 at 3:55 AM

    Heat exhaustion, heat cramps, heat rashes, and heat stroke can all be caused by excessive heat. Due to sweaty palms, fogged safety glasses, and dizziness, heat can also raise the risk of workplace injuries. Accidental contact with hot surfaces or steam can also result in burns.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Apsara ChathuraniDecember 3, 2022 at 9:01 AM

      Heat exhaustion can cause severe damages to people. employers must adopt new technology to minimize the effects of exposing to high temperatures at work place. Also the damages can be minimized by allowing flexible work shifts

      Delete
  9. IshanDecember 4, 2022 at 6:15 AM

    Posting urine color chart is a good idea. Display of daily temperature humidity figures can be useful. Close attention to vulnerable people like elders and convalescents is suggested.

    ReplyDelete

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