Health Authority Abu DhabiSafety in the Heat Programme – Practical

Interventions to controlling Heat Stress on site

Darren JoubertOccupational and Environmental HealthPublic Health & Research Dept.

Practical Control Solutions

• Establish and enforce work in heat protocols and procedures

• Inform and train workers and supervisors to recognize heat stress symptoms and to control heat exposure. • Training should be conducted in a language

understood by the worker and should include: • How the body overheats, • symptoms of heat illness, • acclimatization, • work pacing and • the importance of rest breaks and affects

of clothing

• Implement First-Aid measures for heat-related disorders

• Encouraging good hydration (drinking 2 litres of water every 2-3 hours, drinking on the bus before work etc.)

Provision of preventative measures

• Provide workers with adequate amounts of drinking water close to the workplace and if possible electrolyte replacement drinks. Programmed drinking every hour can be implemented to encourage adequate fluid intake.

• Provide workers with appropriate clothing and personal protective equipment where applicable including a large personal water container (of at least 1-2 litres in size).

• Allow workers to self pace where applicable and take rests when they can to cool down.

Acclimatisation and medical issues

• Allow non-acclimatized workers (new arrivals or workers returning from vacation) time to acclimatize for 5-7 days before starting hard work in a hot environment in summer.

• Before working in hot conditions, pre-placement training (safety induction) should be given.

• Provide medical clearance for work in heat for any person with a chronic medical condition (e.g. high blood pressure, obesity) or requiring the use of certain prescription drugs (consult a doctor).

Engineering controls

• Insulation of ceilings to minimize solar heat transfer

• Providing shaded work areas• Providing cooled and air-conditioned

rest areas with water or electrolyte drinks available

• Using exhaust ventilation such as extraction hoods above heat-generating processes like a furnace or oven to remove heat

• Using forced air-ventilation such as fans to increase airflow across the skin and increase evaporation and cooling

• Using cooled air from an air-conditioning system

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For Supervisors…

Information pamphlets in different languages covering:

• What happens to the body when it is exposed to heat

• How heat exposure affects a worker – symptoms

• Prevention of Heat Illness – What you as a supervisor should do

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For Workers – Key Points to Remember

Key point 1…Drinking enough water

How do you know?

IMPORTANT POINTS TO REMEMBER……

• To Come to work fully hydrated (drink plenty of water before you get to work at least 1 Litre).

• To Drink plenty of water during the shift at least 2 litres every 2-3 hours in summer (or rehydration fluid approved by the employer one to one).

• To Drink water regularly and make it a way of life.

• Remind them if they drink water only when thirsty it is too late.

• To Carry a water container with you of at least 1-2 litres to fill regularly.

Key point 2…Salt Replacement

POINTS to REMEMBER:

• If electrolyte replacement drinks are provided there is no need to add extra salt to your meals

• If someone has high blood pressure they should be checked by a doctor before working in heat or increasing salt intake

• If electrolyte drinks are consumed then they should alternate with a drink of water one to one over the day

Key point 3…Rest and Recovery

Self-pace work – do not push beyond the bodies limits.

Allow time at night to recover from the heat stress during the day

Provide a well balanced health diet to help the body to recover – avoid coffee, cola and high sugar and fatty foods

Key point 4…Heat Illness

Signs of Heat Illness:

Encourage the reporting of all signs of heat illness to the supervisor (feeling faint, dizziness, fatigue, headache, nausea, vomiting, cramps).

REMEMBER: HEAT ILLNESS CAN KILL SO BE AWARE!

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What to do during Ramadan….

POINTS to REMEMBER:

• Try avoid heat exposure as much as possible during Ramadan

• Monitor for signs of heat illness such as skin rashes, dizziness, headaches

• Start the day well hydrated – for Suhoor with your meal eat fruits, vegetables and drink plenty of water and unsweetened fruit juice

• Avoid salty foods at Suhoor

• Drink water and fruit juices at Iftar before eating

• Avoid strenuous activity and rest in a cool place where possible

Responsibilities of Employers

• Heat exposure and heat stroke can be fatal if proper controls are not implemented.

• Employers have a legal responsibility to protect the health of their workers as stipulated by the UAE Labour Law (Federal Law No. 8 of 1980).

• Follow the Ministry of Labour Ministerial Resolution 587 for the midday break in summer

Tentative dates: 15 June – 15 September 2011To be confirmed by Ministry of Labour

3,017+ cases of heat-related illness seen at HCFs in Abu Dhabi Emirate, 2010

HEAT EX-HAUSTION

HEAT STROKE HEAT SYNCOPE

PRICKLY HEAT TOTAL0

500

1000

1500

2000

2500

3000

3500

2025

122 88

829

3017

Heat Related Illness Cases

Heat Related Illness

Thank you