Quick Links
Customer Centres
Beat the heat
When it comes to heat stress, awareness and prevention are key
July 13, 2007 — Most of us welcome summer's arrival — especially the balmy conditions it brings. But the hot weather should also serve as a reminder to those working in warm environments (outdoor and indoor alike) that, when it comes to heat stress, awareness and prevention are critical. When you're able to identify and quickly treat early symptoms of heat stress, your chances of preventing more severe (and possibly fatal) conditions rise.
Recognizing heat stress
Heat stress happens when your internal temperature increases faster than your body can cool itself down. Watch for these early signs and symptoms:
- Excessive sweating
- Dizziness
- Nausea
If you don't address these symptoms quickly, you may start experiencing heat cramps, heat exhaustion, or a life-threatening condition known as heatstroke, which requires immediate emergency medical assistance.
Treating heat stress
It's crucial you don't ignore what might be signs of heat stress, regardless of the temperature. When someone experiencing heat stress is attended to and cooled down immediately, the time it takes to recover and return to normal activity is significantly reduced.
- Move the worker to a cooler environment (e.g. shade, air-conditioned room)
- Lay him/her down and, if possible, remove or loosen tight-fitting clothing
- Cool him/her gently with cool water or by fanning
- Give him/her oral fluid (e.g. juice, sports drinks, salted water)
Preventing heat stress
The best defence against heat stress? Take these steps to prevent it from happening at all:
- Employers are required to conduct a heat stress assessment to identify any areas or duties that put workers at risk of heat-related disorders
- If workers are working in hot temperatures, employers must have a heat stress exposure control plan
- Train and educate workers and supervisors on identification of symptoms and treatment
- Ensure there are cool areas for rest and allot extra breaks
- Provide cold water for drinking and cooling down
- Acclimatize workers to working in hot temperatures
- Ensure workers are never alone when working in hot temperatures
- Vary workload so there is a lighter workload for the hottest times of the day
- Monitor heat exposure
Resources
WorkSafeBC publication: Prevent Heat Stress at Work (PDF 2.35MB)
Occupational Health and Safety Regulation Guideline: Heat Stress Assessment
Occupational Health Clinics for Ontario Workers: Humidex Based Heat Response Plan (PDF 108KB)
Construction Safety Association of Ontario : Heat Stress (PDF 490kB)
Ontario Ministry of Labour: Heat Stress web site