Heat stress in your workplace
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Transcript of Heat stress in your workplace
Heat Stressit is more
THAN A SAFETY REMINDER it is a Lesson in PREVENTION in
the WORKPLACE
EVERY YEAR
Every year, thousands of workers are adversely affected by occupational heat exposure, and many will even die. Though it is a common workplace issue, heat stress often goes unnoticed because most workplaces associate it with employees who work outside during the heat of the summer. But heat-related illnesses can and do cause major problems for individuals who are required to work in indoor work environments such as steel foundries, boiler rooms, bakeries, and even commercial kitchens. In fact, any environment that requires workers to be exposed to excessive high temperatures that are caused by radiant heat sources, contact with hot objects, strenuous physical activities, high humidity, etc. can increase the potential for heat-related illness.
Definitions
• Heat Stress
– Net heat gain
– Rise in body temperature
– Heat cramps
– Heat exhaustion
– Heat Stroke
Definitions
• Acclimatization
– Modification of body functions
– Copes more effectively and efficiently with heat
Definitions
• Unacclimatized Worker
– Not accustomed to working in hot environment
Definitions
• Engineering Controls
– Physical arrangements of work
– Alterations to the workplace
– Use of equipment, materials
Definitions
• Administrative Controls
– Changing the way work is done
Regulation
Legislative Section .
– Measure and assess
– Establish controls
– Provide education and training
– Provide responses to exposure
– Special provisions for firefighters
Responsibilities
• Employer
– Conduct heat stress assessment
– Provide controls
– Maintain records
– Ensure first aid available
Responsibilities
• Managers / Supervisors
• Post signage
• Ensure workers are trained
Responsibilities
• Supervisors
– Ensure workers are aware of the risks
– Be aware of workers’ acclimatization status
– Address over-exposure
– Provide PPE if required
Responsibilities
• Workers
– Follow control measures and safe work procedures
– Leave hot environments if symptoms appear
Responsibilities
• Joint Health & Safety Committee
• Advise the employer
• Help evaluate workplace conditions
• Address worker complaints
• Help with investigations as required
• Conduct inspections as required
Responsibilities
• Fire Department
– Requirements for exemption from program
– Instruction and training
– Work procedures
– Specialized PPE
Hazard Identification
• Hazard Identification considers:
– The environment
– Tasks being done
– Clothing and equipment used
Hazard Identification
• Identification of hazards includes review of:
– Incident investigations and reports
– Type of work being done
– Environmental temperature conditions
– Clothing and equipment used
– Expressed worker concerns
Hazard Identification
• Review of Records and Statistics
– Previously identified at risk work areas
– Expressed concerns
– Incident investigations
– Incidents from other similar employers
Hazard Identification
• Environmental factors
– Temperatures greater than 23°C
– Indoor or outdoor job
– Radiant heat – sunlight
– Heat for entire shift?
– Humidity levels
Hazard Identification
• Clothing
– Affect evaporation of sweat
– Affects body’s ability to remove heat
– Are they permeable to air or water?
– Multiple layers
Hazard Identification
• Personal Risk Factors
– Lack of acclimatization
– Poor physical fitness
– Obesity
– Increased age
– Pre-existing medical conditions
Hazard identification
• Personal Risk Factors – continued
– Short term disorders and minor illness
– Chronic skin disorders
– Use of medication
– Alcohol and drugs
– Previous heat stroke
Risk Assessment
• Heat stress risk assessment
– Assessment factors
– Interpretation
– Supplementary measurements
Risk Assessment
• Assessment factors
– Workload (Metabolic rating)
– Environmental temperatures
– Clothing and equipment
– Acclimatization
Risk Assessment
• Assessment
– Wet Bulb Globe Temperature or WBGT
– Interpretation of results
Controlling the Risk
• Engineering Controls
– Reduce worker activity
– Cover or insulate hot surfaces
– Shield workers from radiant heat
– Provide air conditioning
– Provide fans
– Reduce humidity
Controlling the Risk
• Administrative Controls
– Acclimatize workers
– Supervision of workers
– Schedule work to minimize heat exposure
– Drink
– Dress appropriately
Controlling the risk
• Acclimatize workers
Controlling the Risk
• Supervise Workers
– Work in pairs or groups
– Ensure first aid is available
– Establish emergency procedures
Controlling the Risk
• Work Scheduling
– Work-Rest Cycles
– Schedule to minimize heat exposure
Controlling the Risk
• Re-Hydrate
– Must replenish fluid lost by sweat
– Drink continuously throughout day
– Employer must provide cool drinking water
Controlling the Risk
• Clothing
– Suitable for the conditions
– Loose fitting
– Breathability
Heat Stress Illnesses
• Symptoms, Causes and Treatment
– Heat Cramps
– Heat Exhaustion
– Heat Stroke
Heat Stress Illnesses
• Heat Cramps – Symptoms
– Excessive sweating
– Painful muscle cramps
Heat Stress Illnesses
• Heat Cramps – Causes
– Dehydration
– Loss of salt (electrolytes)
Heat Stress Illnesses
• Heat Cramps – Treatment
– Move to cool area
– Loosen clothing
– Drink cool, salted water
Heat Stress Illnesses
• Heat Exhaustion – Symptoms
– Shallow respiration
– Increased respiratory rate
– Weak, rapid pulse
– Cool, pale, clammy skin
– Weakness, fatigue dizziness
– Headache / nausea / fainting / cramps
Heat Stress Illnesses
• Heat Exhaustion – Causes
– Insufficient water intake
– Insufficient salt intake
– Break down in body’s cooling system
Heat Stress Illnesses
• Heat Exhaustion – Treatment
– Move to cooler area
– Provide cool water to drink
Heat Stress Illnesses
• Heat Stroke – Symptoms
– Hot, dry, flushed skin
– Absence of sweating
– Agitation, confusion
– Decreased level of consciousness
– Headache
– Nausea and vomiting
– Seizures, shock, cardiac arrest
Heat Stress Illnesses
• Heat Stroke – Causes
– Body overheats
– Above 41C body sweating stops
– Body temperature continues to rise
– Cannot dissipate heat
Heat Stress Illnesses
• Heat Stroke – Treatment
– Maintain airway, breathing, circulation
– Move to coolest place available
– Lay worker down
– Remove outer clothing
– Apply cold water to worker
– Provide fluids if conscious
– Transport to medical aid
Heat Stress Illnesses
• Prevention - for all heat stress illnesses
– Reduce activity levels in hot weather
– Ensure you are getting enough salt
– Drink fluids throughout the workday
– Ensure you are acclimatized
– Watch out for each other
Heat Stress Illnesses
• Fluid replacement
– Thirst is not an indicator
– Once dehydrated hard to catch up
– Drink 150 ml every 15 minutes
– Use electrolyte replacement
– Do not use salt tablets
Summary
• We have discussed:
– Definitions
– State/Provincial regulatory requirements
– Responsibilities
Summary
• We have discussed – continued
– Identification of hazards
– Assessment of risks
– Risk Control
– Symptoms, causes and treatment of heat stress illnesses