21 February 2017
Heat stress is a serious issue in the Australia workplace and can have serious health and safety implications.
Heat stress occurs when the amount of heat entering the body is greater than the heat leaving the body. This results in a rise in body temperature. Normal body temperature is 37°C, once the body temperature rises above 28°C, bodily functions can be disrupted and symptoms of heat stress begin to appear.
Heat-related illness and fatigue may also impair thinking and reaction times, which can increase the risk of worker injury, for example, making errors, dropping tools or stumbling. According to DMP Western Australia, there has been two recorded heat related fatalities since 2000.
Heat-related illnesses includes:
- Heat Rash – skin irritation caused by excessive sweating.
- Heat cramps – when the body gets depleted of salt and water.
- Dizziness and fainting – drop of blood pressure due to a reduced blood flow to the brain.
- Heat exhaustion – a serious condition that occurs when excessive sweating in a hot environment reduces the blood volume.
Heatstroke = MEDICAL EMERGENCY and requires urgent medical attention. This occurs when the core body temperature rises above 40.5°C and the body’s internal system starts to shut down.
Heat stress symptoms:
|
Heat Exhaustion
Elevated core body temp
|
Heat Stroke
Core body temp (>41 °C)
|
| Dehydration | Emotional Instability |
| Profuse Sweating | Drowsiness |
| Light Headedness | Seizures |
| Nausea | Disorientation |
| Fainting | Irritability |
| Headache | Impaired judgement |
| Pale skin | Lack of coordination |
| Hyperventilation | Aggression |
| Urge to defecate | Elevated heart rate |
| Chills | Vomiting |
Preventing Heat related Illness:
- Always commence your shift hydrated, i.e. drink about 1 litre prior to working.
- Drink adequate fluid throughout the day.
- Drink cool water and not cold water. Keep flavoured drinks to a minimum as these contain sugar and can lead to weight gain.
- Maintain salts by eating a balanced diet, do not skip meals.
- Discuss and plan physically demanding work, where appropriate, for cooler periods of the day.
- Take regular breaks.
- Beware of your limitations.
- Wear appropriate personal protective equipment (e.g. long sleeves, pants, hat, sunscreen).
- If any symptoms develop, stop work and report to your supervisor and seek medical assistance.
- Reduce caffeine intake when working long shifts.
- No alcohol.
Our team of qualified staff can assist you with any heat stress issues and can provide the following services:
- Thermal Risk Assessments
- WBGT – Wet Bulb Globe Temperature Assessments
- Specific Gravity Urine Testing
Occuhealth performs heat stress monitoring and assessments in accordance with the AIOH heat stress standards. For further details, please contact Occuhealth:
Government of Western Australia – Department of Mines and Petroleum. www.dmp.wa.gov.au
