Safety in the heat

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Stay
Healthy
in the
Heat

Topics
Effects of heat on your body and the
impact on safety
Signs and symptoms of heat illness and
steps to take if someone is affected
Precautions and control methods to
prevent heat illness
Frequently Asked Questions
1
4
3
2
In this e-book you will read about

Topic 1
Effects of heat on our body
and the impact on safety
1

In order to stay healthy in
the heat, let’s first
understand how heat
affects us.
The body needs to get rid
of excess heat to maintain
a constant internal
temperature of 37°C.
The body’s best
mechanism for removing
any excess heat is through
the evaporation of sweat.
Temperature
1

Sweat comes from the blood supply . Increased sweat leads to a
decrease in blood volume which causes dehydration.
You can have mild, moderate, or severe dehydration depending on
how much fluid is missing from your body.
You can lose up to 1 litre of sweat per hour while working in the
heat.
Dehydration can lead to heat illnesses. It can compromise safety
and can even be fatal.
Dehydration
1

Outcomes of Dehydration
Fatigue
Nausea
Muscle
Cramps
Impaired mental
and physical
performance
1

Hydration
HOW
MUCH
WATER
DO YOU
NEED?  To avoid dehydration, the recommended water
intake while working in the heat is 2 litres every
2-3 hours. That’s at least 8 glasses every 2 to 3
hours
 Don’t wait until you’re thirsty, as this could mean
you’re already dehydrated
 Schedule drinking e.g. every 15 minutes
1

 Water is the recommended fluid
 Oral rehydration solutions are useful in replacing lost electrolytes
 They are recommended for employees displaying early signs of heat
stress. You will read about heat stress in the next topic
1
Hydration Tips

Drinks to
Avoid
Certain drinks can
increase your urination
and contribute to
dehydration.
1

Unhealthy
Urine colour: drink more water
Healthy
Urine colour
Check your Hydration
A well hydrated person will have clear straw coloured
urine
.

Topic 2
Signs and symptoms of
heat illness and steps to
take if someone is affected
2

Heat illness can occur after
exposure to extreme heat
and may result in a number
of medical conditions.
Employees in hot
environments (indoors and
outdoors), people who are
older, overweight or who
have conditions such as
heart disease or high blood
pressure are at a greater
risk.
Heat Illness
and its Risks
2

Types of Heat Illness
Heat Stroke
The most
serious and can
be fatal. The
body is unable
to control its
temperature.
Heat
Exhaustion
The body’s response
to excessive heat,
loss of water and
salt through
sweating. This can
be serious and
needs medical
attention.
Heat Cramps
The body’s salt
levels decrease
due to excessive
sweating
causing muscle
cramps.
Heat Rash
The skin’s
reaction to
irritation caused
by excessive
sweating.
2

Signs
 High body temperature (hot dry
skin or excessive sweating)
 Confusion
 Loss of coordination
 Throbbing headache
 Fits
Action
 Call ambulance
 Inform supervisor
 Move the person to a cool
shaded area
 Remove excess clothing and
apply cool water to their body
1. Heat Stroke
The body is unable to control its
rapidly rising temperature
2

Signs
 Rapid heart beat
 Excessive sweating
 Extreme weakness or fatigue
 Dizziness
 Nausea/vomiting
 Raised body temperature
 Shallow breathing
 Irritability
Action
 Call ambulance
 Rest in a cool (shaded or air
conditioned) area
 Drink plenty of cold water or
rehydration drinks
2. Heat Exhaustion
The body’s response to excessive loss
of water and salt through sweating
2

Symptoms
 Muscle pain or spasms in
abdomen, arms and legs
Action
 Stop all activity and sit in a cool
place
 Drink water or rehydration drinks
 Do not return to work until a few
hours after cramps subside
3. Heat Cramps
Usually affect workers who sweat a lot
during strenuous activity. Sweating
depletes the body salts and fluid
levels
2

Symptoms
 Cluster of red pimples or blisters
Action
 Keep affected area dry
 Dusting powder on the area may
increase comfort
 Change clothing regularly
4. Heat Rash
Skin irritation due to excessive
sweating.
2

Exposure to UV radiation can lead to:
 Skin cancer
 Sunburn - premature aging and
pigmentation
Long term effects of working in the
heat may lead to other illnesses such
as kidney stones.
Remember to cover exposed parts
of the body and apply sunscreen.
Other Heat Related
Illnesses
2

Topic 3
Precautions and control
methods to prevent heat
illness
3

Sensitivity to
Heat
Heat affects us in different
ways depending on various
factors such as age.
3

People at Risk of Heat Sensitivity
Heat Rash
Older people
Those in poor
cardiovascular
fitness
Those
recovering
from illness
Those who
abuse alcohol
Dehydrated
individuals
Those
preforming
physically
strenuous work
Those with
cardiovascular
or circulatory
disorder
Those with
previous heat
illness
Unacclimatised
people
Those taking
medication that
impair cooling
mechanism of
the body
3

Are you a manager or supervisor?
What is your role in keeping your colleagues safe?
Remember to identify heat as a hazard in your work environment and
complete a risk assessment. Make sure you put the correct mitigations
in place.
You can contact safetypromotions@emirates.com if you need risk
assessment training.
Safety… it’s in your hands.

ARE YOU
UNSURE?
If you have concerns about how heat illness is
affecting you or your colleagues – contact your
supervisor who will refer you to occupational
medicine.
occmed@emirates.com
3

Remember
Drink water before
work each day.
Heat Rash
Skin irritation
caused by
excessive
sweating
Drink up to 2 litres
of water every 2 to 3
hours during work.
Check your urine
colour. It should be
pale yellow.
Get plenty of sleep
at night.
Eat fruit and
vegetables everyday.
Monitor yourself and
your co-workers for
early signs of heat
illness.
Ensure you take
scheduled breaks.
Use the SID
Workplace Injury
Report to report
heat illnesses.
Take a break from
the heat. Change
tasks when you can.
3

REPORTFollowsafeworkingpracticeguidelines
Monitor and report all cases of heat-related illness
through SiD – using Workplace Injury Report.
Go to groupworld and click on the safety tab.
3

Topic 4
Frequently Asked Questions
4

What are the signs and
symptoms of dehydration?
Q.1
4

What are the signs and
symptoms of dehydration?
Q.1
4
 Fatigue
 Nausea
 Muscle cramps
 Impaired mental and physical
performance

How much water do you
need to drink every hour to
avoid dehydration?
Q.2
4

How much water do you
need to drink every hour to
avoid dehydration?
Q.2
4
 Up to 2 litres of water every 2 to 3 hours

What are the illnesses that
can be caused due to heat?
Q.3
4

What are the illnesses that
can be caused due to heat?
Q.3
4
 Heat Stroke
 Heat Exhaustion
 Heat Cramps
 Heat Rash

What is the difference
between a heat stroke and
heat exhaustion?
Q.4
4

 Heat stroke is the most serious and can
be fatal. The body is unable to control its
temperature.
 Heat exhaustion is our body’s response
to excessive heat- loss of water and salt
through sweating.
What is the difference
between a heat stroke and
heat exhaustion?
Q.4
4

What are the symptoms of
heat cramps?
Q.5
4

 Muscle pain or spasms in abdomen,
arms and legs
What are the symptoms of
heat cramps?
Q.5
4

How do you report all cases
of heat-related illness
through SiD ?
Q.6
4

 Report all cases of heat-related illness
through SiD – using Workplace Injury
Report.
How do you report all cases
of heat-related illness
through SiD ?
Q.6
4

Thank You

Safety in the heat

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Editor's Notes