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HEAT STRESS

WHAT IS IT AND

HOW IT AFFECTS YOU?

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External Factors

Affecting Heat Stress

Air movement

Clothing

Radiant heat ( hot vessels and

sun)

Humidity

Work rate (Mild/ Moderate/Heavy)

If these

not controlled

HEAT STRESS MAY

OCCUR!!!

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Effects of Heat stress on your

body

Prickly heat (skin rash) Muscle Cramps (pain and

tension in muscles)

Exhaustion (feeling weak) Syncope (fainting)

Heat Stroke (life threatening!)

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Heat Cramps

Your body is telling you toslow down!

You Feel:

Moist coolpale skin

Nauseated

Tired Muscle

twitching

Painful

muscle

cramps

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Heat Exhaustion

your body is starting toloose the battle!

You Feel:

Heavy sweatingWeak and fatigued

Headache and dizzy

Nauseated Rapidly breathing

Intense thirst

Vomiting

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Heat StrokeLife threatening!

(The body can no longer regulateits own temperature!)

Hot red skin

NO sweating Rapid pulse

Difficulty inbreathing

Confusion

Vomiting

Coma

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Risk Factors

Dehydration,

Lack of acclimatization, (from

cool climate)

Unfit,

Lack of sleep,

Tea/ Coffee and

alcohol consumption, Cold / Flu / medical

condition,

Some medications and drugs.

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Prevention

Start drinking water

( before you start work),

Drink water

( As much as you need),

Check your Urine colour

(note the urine color),

Ensure adequate ventilation,

Rotate work

( from hot to cool areas),Report to your Supervisor or the

Nurse at first sign of any problem,

Keep an eye on

your work mates

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Warning!

You need to learn to drink, even

when you are not thirsty.By the time you feel thirsty you are

already 10% dehydrated

Urine colour gives indication of

hydration state ie,(if urine is dark drink more)

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Heat Exposure

Work Load / WBGTWork / Rest Period

(Each Hour)

Light Medium Heavy

30 26.7 25 Continuous Work

30.6 28 25.9 45 Min. Work / 15 Min. Rest

31.4 29.4 27.9 30 Min. Work / 30 Min. Rest

32.2 31.1 30 15 Min. Work / 45 Min. Rest

Light Work= In shade, with out Air Conditioner with

minimum movements. Example Office Work, Fabricators in

Fabrication Shops etc..

Medium Work= Under Direct Sun, but minimum movement.

Example Steel Fixer, Welders etc..

Heavy Work= Under Direct Sun with maximum movements.

Example Scaffolding, Manual Handling etc.

REFERENCE

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Work / Rest Period

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PREVENTION

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PREVENTION

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The color of Urine tells you

how dehydrated you are!

Extremely Dehydrate

Drink Water Immediately

Mildly Dehydrated

Drink More Water

Not Dehydrated