Heat

Stress
 Heat Stress

Heat Stress:
The amount of heat to which a worker
body is exposed to based on external
and internal factors:
Environmental Factors ( sun, air temperature,
humidity & temperature of surrounding )
Body Heat (metabolic)
Body’s Heat
H
Balance
System S S
H H •Cooling
•Conduction
External •Convention
Heat source •Radiation
•Air temp. •Evaporation
•Hot surrounding objects
Internal
Heat source
•Muscle activity
•Digestion
•Breathing
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 The Body’s Cooling System

Body’s response to heat can be compared to

your car’s cooling system

Coolant (blood) is circulated by a pump

(heart) from hot inner core to a radiator
(skin cooled by the evaporation of sweat).

When temperature is increased, it can be

sensed by thermostat (hypothalamus)

Coolant flow is redirected by a system of

pipes, valves and reservoirs (blood
circulation system).
 Normal Cooling Mechanism

Controlled by an organ
“hypothalamus” located in the center
of brain sends out hormones which:
 change heart rate
 start sweating
 increase blood flow to the skin

Hypothalamus regulates homeostatic

When “hypothalamus” work well
functions: The core temp drops
-body temperature
-thirst/urine output
-food intake
 Why Cooling Mechanisms Fail?

1. So much sweat is lost that result with;

 Dehydration
 The body cannot cool itself by
sweating and the core temperature
rises
2. Salt loss causes heat cramps
3. So much of the blood flow goes to the
skin that other organs cannot function
properly

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What are the Health effects of Heat Stress?
 Heat Cramps
Causes This normally
happens after hard physical
work. Most often to people Symptoms Severe pain and
who aren’t used to the heat, cramps in legs and abdomen,
who sweat a lot or don’t fainting or dizziness, weakness,
drink enough fluids. profuse sweating and headaches

Painful muscle cramps,

usually in legs or
abdomen, warn that heat
stress is developing
Treatment Stop activity, rest in cool place,
drink lots of water or sports beverage
 Heat Exhaustion
Causes excessive loss of body fluids
and important salts in sweat due to
overexposure to high temperatures and
humidity.

Symptoms
Heavy sweating
Worker is pale and tired
Nausea and vomiting
Headache, blurred vision
Treatment Get to the shade,
cool off, drink lots of water , cold wet
Dizziness and fainting
towels or ice, fan and elevate legs
above heart.
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 Heat Stroke
Causes The body’s
temperature regulation
mechanism fails and sweating
stops. The Core body temperature
rises dramatically

Symptoms Headache, nausea, dizziness, skin

is red, dry and very hot (sweating has ceased). No
sweating, Disorientation, unconsciousness,
convulsions and death.
Treatment: Remove to cooler
Heat exhaustion location, loosen clothing, immerse in cool
Can progress to water, wrap in wet sheets, cold compresses to
Heat stroke the head, neck and groin.
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 Heat Stroke

“Heat stroke is a
medical emergency
and a life-threatening
condition”
SEEK MEDICAL ATTENTION
IMMEDIATELY…
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 Who is at Risk?
People with:
Overweight
Very small body size
Physical condition
Lack of heat acclimatization
Heart disease, high blood pressure
Diabetes

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 Job Risk Factors

Factors related to heat stress:

 Heavy work
 Extended shifts
 Heavy clothing
 PPE and respirators
 Exposure to any toxic agent
Body generates more heat during heavy
work

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Heat Stress Controls and Management:

• Cool building/process
• Reduce job demands
• Provide fans/ventilation in working area
• PPE (personal proactive equipment)
• Awareness
• Drinking lots of water
• Encourage drinking (/ re-hydration
drinks) Babylyte

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 Prevention

Urine Color – An Indicator of the State of Hydration

Well-hydrated Dehydrated

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 PERMISSIBLE HEAT EXPOSURE THRESHOLD VALUES( WBGT °C)
Based on physically fit acclimatized workers.

Category
WGBT value for

Work-Rest Regime Light to Moderate to Workload Example of Activities

Moderate Heavy
activities activities
Sitting, Light hand or arm work, using small
0 Continuous work outside 29 28.5 bench tools, Walking about with moderate
lifting or pushing, Carrying a 3kg load,
1 75 % work outside Light to Insulation removal /replacement, Grit
25 % rest 30 29.5 Moderate blasting, sampling, reading (pressure, temp
Each hour* etc.), Open/close valves, PM check /repair,
change oil & filters, climbing stairs and
2 50 % work outside
50 % rest 31 30.5
ladders, driving forklift for loading and
Each hour* unloading, housekeeping.

3 25 % work outside
75 % rest 32 31.5
Each hour* Moderate to Sawing; transferring heavy materials;
4 No work outside except for
Heavy continuous shoveling; shoveling dry
emergency adhering to the following materials; wearing self contained
procedure: breathing apparatus, workload for
1. Supervisor should consider
personnel rotation. project contractors.
2. Water/Isotonic drinks/juice
33 32.5
should always be available at
workplace.
3. Shade should be provided with a
source of air movement.

* Rest should be provided in cool place and adequate cold fluid (Water/Isotonic drinks/juice) should be taken.

1. Nurse informs weather category to CCR, who over PA system informs all Company Employees (hourly). 16
2. Supervisors communicates weather category to their work groups.
THANK YOU

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