Heat Stress is the effect of heat on the body generated by work, environmental sources and clothing. This puts a great deal of stress on the body's cooling system that leads to heat related illnesses, disability and potential death. Here are a few tips to keep you safe in the heat:

Control It
The longer you are exposed to heat, the more accustomed your body becomes to it. This is often referred to as “acclimatization” and can be achieved in two ways:
1. Limit your exposure time to 50 per cent of your shift the first day, 60 per cent for the second day, 80 per cent for the third day and 100 per cent for the fourth day (for summer students, try starting at 20 per cent on your first day and increasing by 20 per cent each day after).
2. Reduce the physical demands of the job for a week or two instead of limiting your exposure.

Prevent It
Engineering Controls
- Control the heat at its source through the use of insulating and reflective barriers (e.g. insulate furnace walls).
- Exhaust hot air and steam produced by operations.
- Reduce the temperature and humidity through air-cooling.
- Provide air-conditioned rest areas.
- Provide cool work areas.
- Increase air movement if temperature is less than 35°C by using fans.
- Reduce physical demands of work through mechanical assistance such as hoists, lift-tables, etc.

Administrative Controls
-Assess the demands of all jobs and have monitoring and control strategies in place for hot days and hot workplaces.
-Increase the frequency and length of rest breaks.
-Schedule strenuous jobs to cooler times of the day.
-Provide cool drinking water in and around the workplace and remind employees to drink a cup every 20 minutes or so.
-Caution workers to avoid direct sunlight.
-Slow down the pace of work or assign additional workers to the job.
-Make sure everyone is properly acclimatized.
-Train workers to recognize the signs and symptoms of heat stress and start a “buddy system” to notice symptoms of others.
-Advise pregnant workers and workers with a medical condition to discuss working in the heat with their doctor.
-Implement an emergency response plan and have First Aid responders in the event of heat-related illness.
-Investigate all heat-related incidents.

Personal Protective Equipment
-Light summer clothing should be worn to allow free air movement and sweat evaporation.
-When outside, wear light-coloured clothing.
-In a high radiant heat situation, wear reflective clothing.
-For very hot environments, consider air, water or ice-cooled insulated clothing.
-Be cautious when wearing vapour barrier clothing, such as chemical protective clothing, as it greatly increases the amount of heat stress on the body.

Manage It
For outdoor workers, there is a hot weather or heat stress control plan for establishing triggers such as:
-Humidex higher than 35˚C
-Environment Canada Humidex Advisory (air temperature above 30˚C, humidity above 40˚C)
-Environment Canada weather reports
-Heat waves
This control plan should run from May 1 to September 30 each year.

Watch for It!!
  Cause Symptoms Treatment Prevention
Heat Rash Hot humid environment; plugged sweat glands. Red bumpy rash with severe itching. Change into dry clothes and avoid hot environments. Rinse skin with cool water. Wash regularly to keep skin clean and dry.
Sunburn Too much exposure to the sun. Red, painful or blistering and peeling skin. If the skin blisters, seek medical aid. Use skin lotions (avoid topical anesthetics). Work in the shade; cover skin with clothing; apply skin lotions with a sun protection factor of at least 15. People with fair skin should be especially cautious.
Heat Cramps Heavy sweating that drains a person's body of salt. Painful cramps in arms, legs or stomach which occur suddenly at work or later at home. Move to a cool area; loosen clothing and drink cool salted water (1 tsp of salt per gallon of water) or commercial fluid replacement beverage. If the cramps are severe or persevere, seek medical aid. Reduce activity levels and/or heat exposure. Drink fluids regularly. Workers should check on each other to help spot the symptoms that often precede heat stroke.
Heat cramps are serious because they can be a warning of other more dangerous heat-induced illnesses.
Fainting Fluid loss and inadequate water intake. Sudden fainting after at least two hours of work; cool moist skin; weak pulse. GET MEDICAL ATTENTION. Assess need for CPR. Move to a cool area; loosen clothing; lie down. If the person is conscious, offer sips of cool water. Reduce activity levels and/or heat exposure. Drink fluids regularly. Workers should check on each other to help spot the symptoms that often precede heat stroke.
Heat Exhaustion Fluid loss and inadequate salt and water intake causes the body's cooling system to start breaking down. Heavy sweating; cool moist skin; body temperature over 38¡C; weak pulse; normal or low blood pressure; tiredness and weakness; nausea and vomiting; thirsty; rapid panting or breathing; blurred vision. GET MEDICAL AID. This condition can lead to heat stroke, which can kill. Move the person to a cool shaded area; loosen or remove excess clothing; provide cool water to drink; fan and spray with cool water. Reduce activity levels and/or heat exposure. Drink fluids regularly. Workers should check on each other to help spot the symptoms that often precede heat stroke.
Heat Stroke If a person's body has used up all its water and salt reserves, it will stop sweating. This can cause body temperature to rise. Heat stroke may develop suddenly or may follow from heat exhaustion. High body temperature (over 41¡C) and any one of the following: weakness, confusion, upset or acting strangely; hot, dry, red skin; fast pulse; headache; dizziness. In later stages, a person may pass out and/or have convulsions. CALL AMBULANCE. This condition can kill a person quickly. Remove excess clothing; fan and spray the person with cool water; offer sips of cool water if the person is conscious. Reduce activity levels and/or heat exposure. Drink fluids regularly. Workers should check on each other to help spot the symptoms that often precede heat stroke


For more information, drop by Fanshawe's Health and Safety Services office in D1021, or call 519-452-4424.
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