Effects of heat stress at workplace and how organization/ employers can overcome them

1. HEAT STRESS
PROJECT NAME
Presented By:
Zeng Xiangli

2. Body Temperature
The human body is designed to work best at, or close to, a temperature of
37℃
The body is able to control the temperature, by either giving off or
maintaining heat - Under normal conditions.
These mechanisms are controlled by a special centre in the brain.
In addition man controls his environment to some degree.
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3. Body Temperature
How the body keeps
warm
Heat is created in the
bodies tissues(Skin)
Heat is absorbed,
e.g.. Sun, Air
temperature and Fire
In cold conditions the
body conserves heat
How the body loses heat
In hot conditions, the
body reacts to lose heat:
Arteries & Veins
dilate
The rate and depth
of breathing will
increase
Sweat glands
become active.
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4. Effects of Extreme Heat
 In extremely hot conditions, the body’s heat loss
mechanisms may fail.
 When the air temperature equals the body
temperature, it becomes impossible for the body to
lose heat by radiation.
 If there is high humidity, sweat does not evaporate
well.
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5. Effects of Extreme Heat
During strenuous exercise, when extra heat is generated by
muscular activity, HEAT EXAUSTION, or the more dangerous
condition, HEAT STROKE, may develop.
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6. HEAT STRESS

7. Heat Exhaustion
This condition usually develops gradually, and is caused
by loss of salt and water from the body through excessive
sweating.
It is more common in persons who are unaccustomed to
working or exercising in a hot, humid environment.
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8. Heat Exhaustion - Recognition
 Headache, dizziness, and confusion
 Loss of appetite, and nausea
 Sweating, with pale, clammy skin
 Cramps in the limbs or abdomen
 Rapid weakening pulse and breathing
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9. Heat Exhaustion - Treatment
1. Safety - ABC – (Airway, Breathing, Circulation)
2. Lie casualty down in a cool place, raise and support the legs
3. If conscious, help casualty to sip plenty of weak salt water (one
teaspoon per litre of water)
4. Advise or have casualty to see a doctor.
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10. Heat Stroke
This condition often occurs suddenly, and can cause unconsciousness in
MINUTES.
Heatstroke is caused by a failure to the brain to control the the bodies
temperature, due to either :
 Prolonged exposure to very hot surroundings.
 Illness involving a very high fever.
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11. Heat Stroke - Recognition
 Headache, dizziness, and discomfort
 Restlessness and confusion
 Hot, flushed and dry skin
 RAPID deterioration in the level of consciousness
 Body temperature above 400 C
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12. Heat Stroke - Treatment
 Safety, Help, ABC (Airway, Breathing, Circulation).
 Move quickly to a cool place – Remove outer clothing.
 Wrap casualty in a cold, wet sheet and keep it wet.
 When the temperature has fallen to safe level, replace the wet sheet
with a dry one.
 If the temperature rises again, repeat the cooling process.
 If unconscious, place in recovery position.
CALL FOR MEDICAL ASSISTANCE IMMEDIATELY
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13. Preventing Heat Stress
 Engineering Controls
 Acclimatization
 Safe Work Practises
 Training
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14. Engineering Controls
Automation and
mechanization
Minimize the need for heavy
physical work and the resulting
buildup of body heat.
Insulating Hot
Surfaces
Insulation reduces the heat
exchange between the source of
heat and the work environment.
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15. Engineering Controls
 Supervisor to ensure break area to be provided before site work
start.
 Break area shall be located at safe location.
 Break area shall be well ventilated and shaded.
 Drinking water shall be provided at break area. Drinking water
shall be labeled and keep in good hygiene condition.
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16. Acclimatization
 The body adapts to a new thermal environment by a process called
acclimatization. Complete heat acclimatization generally takes six to
seven days.
 New employees should acclimatize before assuming a full workload.
It is advisable to assign about half of the normal workload to a new
employee on the first day of work and gradually increased on
subsequent days.
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17. Safe Work Practises
Salt and Fluid Supplements: An acclimatized worker loses
relatively little salt in their sweat and, therefore, the salt in the
normal diet is usually sufficient to maintain the electrolyte
balance in the body fluids. For unacclimatized workers who
may sweat continuously and repeatedly, additional salt in the
food may be used.
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18. Safe Work Practises
 Recommend to drink 1L water per hour when you working
under direct sunshine.
 It’s recommended to drink some salty water.
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19. Training
 Define Emergency Procedures.
 Assign one person trained in First Aid to each work shift.
 Train Supervisors and Workers in recognition of symptoms of heat
exposure.
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20. 1.Call the emergency number, doctor, nurse, or HSE
personnel.
2.Remove patient from further heat exposure.
3.Rest him lying down.
4.Only if conscious, give small amounts of water by
mouth.
5.Do NOT give the patient any water if he is
unconscious.
6.Keep the crowd away. Prevent overcrowding.
Heat Stress Emergency
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