What Is Heat Stress?

Working or playing where it is hot puts stress

on our body's cooling system.
When the heat is combined with other
stresses such as hard physical work, loss of
fluids, fatigue or some medical conditions, it
may lead to heat-related illness, disability and
even death.
This can happen to anybody--even if you are
young and fit.
 How We Cope With Heat
Your body is always generating heat and
passing it to the environment.
The harder your body is working, the more
heat it has to lose.
When the environment is hot or humid or has
a source of radiant heat (for example, a
furnace or the sun), your body must work
harder to get rid of its heat.
 How we cope with heat
If the air is moving (for example, from fans)
and it is cooler than your body, it is easier for
your body to pass heat to the environment.
Workers over 40 should be more careful
because of a reduced ability to sweat.
 Acclimatization
The longer you do hard work in the heat the
better your body becomes at keeping cool.
If you are not used to working in the heat then
you must take a week or two to get
acclimatized or used to the heat.
If you were ill or away from work for a week or
so you can lose your acclimatization.
There are two ways to acclimatize:
Heat Stress Hazards
 Cause Symptoms Treatment Prevention
Heat Hot humid Red bumpy rash Change into dry clothes Wash regularly to keep
Rash environment; with severe itching. and avoid hot skin clean and dry.
plugged sweat environments. Rinse
glands. skin with cool water.

Sunbu Too much Red, painful, or If the skin blisters, seek Work in the shade:
rn exposure to the blistering and medical aid. Use skin cover skin with
sun. peeling skin. lotions (avoid topical clothing; wear suntan
anaesthetics) and work lotions with a sun
in the shade. protection factor of at
least 15. People with
fair skin should be
especially cautious.
 Heat Cramps

Cause Symptoms Treatment Prevention

Heavy sweating Painful cramps in Move to a cool area; When working in the
drains a person's body arms, legs or stomach loosen clothing and heat, workers should
of salt, which cannot which occur suddenly drink cool salted put salt on their food
be replaced just by at work or later at water ( 1 tsp. salt per (if on a low-salt diet,
drinking water. home. gallon of water) or this should be
Cramps are serious commercial fluid discussed with a
because they can be a replacement beverage. doctor). This will give
warning of other more If the cramps are the body all the salt it
dangerous heat- severe or don't go needs; don't take salt
induced illnesses. away, seek medical tablets.
aid.
 Fainting

Cause Symptoms Treatment Prevention

Not enough blood Sudden fainting after at Fainting may be due to Reduce activity levels
flowing to the head, least two hours of a heart attack or other and/or heat exposure.
causing loss of work; cool moist skin; illness. GET Drink fluids regularly.
consciousness. weak pulse. MEDICAL Workers should check
ATTENTION. Assess on each other to help
need for CPR. spot the symptoms
Move to a cool area; which often precede
loosen clothing; make heat stroke.
person lie down; and if
the person is
conscious, offer sips of
cool water.
 Heat Exhaustion

Cause Symptoms Treatment Prevention

Inadequate salt and Heavy sweating; cool GET MEDICAL AID. Reduce activity levels
water intake causes a moist skin; body This condition can lead and/or heat exposure.
person's body's cooling temperature over 38oC; to heat stroke, which Drink fluids regularly.
system to start to break weak pulse; normal or can kill. Move the Workers should check
down. low blood pressure; person to a cool shaded on each other to help
person is tired, weak, areas; loosen or remove spot the symptoms
clumsy, upset or excess clothing; which often precede
confused; is very provide cool water to heat stroke.
thirsty; or is panting or drink (salted if
breathing rapidly, possible); fan and spray
vision may be blurred. with cool water.
 Heat Stroke

Cause Symptoms Treatment Prevention

If a person's body has High body temperature CALL AMBULANCE. Reduce activity levels
used up all its water (over 41oC) and any This condition can kill and/or heat exposure.
and salt, it will stop one of the following: a person quickly. Drink fluids regularly.
sweating. This can the person is weak, Remove excess Workers should check
cause body temperature confused, upset or clothing; fan and spray on each other to help
to rise. acting strangely; has the person with cool spot the symptoms
hot, dry, red skin; a fast water; offer sips of cool which often precede
pulse; a headache or water if the person is heat stroke.
dizziness. In later conscious.
stages, a person may
pass out and have
convulsions.
 Dehydration and Heat Stress
Heat stress is the net (overall) heat burden on the body from a combination
of body heat generated while working environmental sources (air temperature,
humidity, air movement, radiation from the sun or hot surfaces/sources), and
clothing requirements.

Prevention
 Drink water to beat the heat
You need to replace
the fluid you lose.
Water is best to
prevent Heat Stress
DID YOU KNOW?
Drinking plenty of cool water,
about a cup every 15 to 20
Minutes will slow down the
dehydration
. process in your
body
 Heat stress
can be life
threatening,
and must be
monitored
carefully

Symptoms include:
Hot, red and Dry skin
Changes in consciousness
Rapid weak pulse
Rapid shallow breathing
 Your urine is a good indicator of dehydration

Mild Dehydration Moderate Dehydration Severe Dehydration

Mild Dehydration: (urine begins to darken in color, urine output decreases): Other symptoms : Thirst, dry lips, dry
mouth, flushed skin, fatigue, irritability and headache
Action to do : increase fluid intake

Moderate Dehydration: (output of urine will be limited and color of urine will be dark yellow ); Other symptoms : All
of the signs of mild dehydration, plus: skin doesn't bounce back quickly when pressed, very dry mouth, sunken
eyes, cramps, stiff and/or painful joints, severe irritability, fatigue, severe headache
Action to do : call a medical professional

Severe Dehydration: (No or low concentrated urine appears dark yellow); Other symptoms: All of the signs of mild
and moderate dehydration, plus: blue lips, blotchy skin, confusion, lethargy, cold hands and feet, rapid
breathing, rapid and weak pulse, low blood pressure, dizziness, fainting, high fever, inability to pee or cry tears,
disinterest in drinking fluid
Action to do : call emergency number
 Dehydration
is easier to prevent than treat

Drink water
frequently at least
one class of water
every one hour
and take frequent
drink breaks
DID YOU KNOW the symptoms?
Thirst and Dry or sticky mouth
Low or no urine output and concentrated urine appears dark
yellow
light-headedness and increased heart rate and breathing
What immediate first aid measures you can take while waiting for medical help to
arrive?
1. Get the person indoors.
2. Remove clothing and gently apply cool water to the skin followed by fanning to
stimulate sweating.
3. Have the person lie down in a cool area with their feet slightly elevated.