SHE Bulletin - Heat Stress sk

SAFETY, HEALTH & ENVIROMENT

HEAT STRESS

What is heat stress 1

❑ Heat stress is the overall heat load to which an employee may be exposed from the combined
contribution of metabolic heat, environmental factors (i.e. air temperature, humidity, air movement
and radiant heat) and clothing requirements.

❑ Head stress occurs when the body’s means of controlling its internal temperature starts to fail

Types of heat related illness 3

Heat Syncope :
➢ Heat syncope is a fainting (syncope) episode or

dizziness that usually occurs with prolonged
standing or sudden rising from sitting of lying
position

Heat Rash : Heat Stroke :
➢ Heat rash is a skin ➢ Heat stroke is the most

irritation caused by serious heat-related
excessive sweating illness. It occurs when
during hot, humid the body become
unable to control its
weather. temperature : the
body’s temperature
rises rapidly, the
sweating mechanism
fails and the body is
unable to cool down

Heat Exhaustion : Heat Cramps :
➢ Heat exhaustion is ➢ Heat cramps are painful

the body’s muscle spasms caused by
response to an
excessive loss of dehydration and

the eater and salt, electrolyte loss

usually through

excessive

sweating

1

SAFETY, HEALTH & ENVIROMENT

Heat illness symptom 5

Heat Stroke Heat Exhaustion

What to do while waiting for medical help 5

Heat Stroke Heat Exhaustion

Place ice packs around victim Reduce clothing

Put victim in a cool shower Rest in a cool place

Sponge with cool water or Drink cool non-alcoholic
wrap in wet, cool sheet beverages

2

SAFETY, HEALTH & ENVIROMENT

How to prevent heat stress

✓ Provide adequate amount of drinking water
✓ Provide regular rest breaks or rest period. Rest break should be taken

in a cool area
✓ Increase the air circulation. Use air conditioning, fans and general

ventilation.
✓ Alert workers to the early signs of heat related illness
✓ Encourage workers to wear clothing that breathable, light colored and

loose fitting
✓ Set up a buddy systems – check your workers routinely to make sure

they make use of readily water and shade, they don’t have heat
related symptoms.

Am I drinking enough water?

Don’t wait until you are thirsty 1 1 to 2 : Hydrated
as thirst is a clear sign that 2 Pale, odorless and plentiful urine
you are dehydrated. Monitor is often an indication that you are
the colour of your urine when well hydrated.
going to the toilet to Keep drinking at the same rate
determine your hydration
level . 3 to 4 : Mild dehydrated
Slightly darker yellow urine can
3 indicate that you need to drink
more water.
4 Drink a glass of water now

5 to 6 : Dehydrated
5 Medium-dark yellow urine is

often an indication that you are
dehydrated.
6 Drink 2-3 glass of water now

7 to 8 : Very dehydrated
7 Darker, strong smelling urine in

small amounts can be a sign of
dehydration..
8 Drink a large bottle of water
immediately

Sources: 1. https://www.dosh.gov.my/ 5. https://www.adventisthealth.org/blog/2021/june/heat-
2. https://www.healthline.com/health/heat-cramps stroke-vs-heat-exhaustion/
3. https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/heatstress/heatrelillness
6. http://safetyandhealth.ufcw.org/committeeguide/heat/
.html heatstress/
4. https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/urine-colour-chart
3