Heat Stress Prevention

Awareness Program.
AGENDA

 Definition of Heat Stress and Identifying Heat

related illnesses or disorders.
 Determine the risk factors, prevention tips and
first aid.
 Heat Stress Policy.
Objective

 To understand what is Heat Stress and its

different disorders, what are the risk factors,
signs and symptoms and how it can be
prevented.
 To understand the importance of immediate
reporting of signs and symptoms of heat
illnesses to the supervisor or medic.
 Know the immediate emergency response
procedure.
Heat Stress

 Defined as the state of your body where

it cannot control or regulate its internal
temperature due to excessive exposure
to hot environment.
 The body core and the brain must be
maintained near normal body
temperature of 37 °C to function
properly. The human body sustains heat
stress when it cannot cool itself.
Heat disorders categories

 Minor:
Heat rash
Heat cramps

 Severe:
Heat exhaustion
Heat stroke
Heat Rash(Prickly heat)
 Is also known as prickly heat and is most common in hot environment.
 Due to humid environment which plugged sweat glands.
Signs & Symptoms:
 Red blotches (bumpy rash) and extreme itchiness in areas persistently
damp with seat.
 Prickling sensation on the skin where sweating occurs.
Treatment/Management:
 Move to a cool environment
 Cool shower
 Change into clean dry clothes often
Prevention
 Wash regularly or take a shower to keep skin clean and dry.
Note: If skin is not cleansed frequently enough the rash may become
infected
Heat Cramps
 These are spasms in the larger muscles, usually back, legs, arms and
abdomen due to heavy sweating from strenuous physical activity,
this drains a person’s body fluid and salt which cannot be replaced
by drinking water alone.
Signs & Symptoms:
 Painful cramps/spasms in the most worked muscles which can occur
suddenly at work or later at home.
Treatment/Management:
 Rest in a cool place.
 Drink cool commercial electrolytes replacement fluids such as ORS,
Pocari or Gatorade. Do not use salt tablets.
 Practice gentle, range-of-motion stretching and gently massage the
affected muscle group.
Heat Exhaustion
 Heat exhaustion is characterized by heavy perspiration and a
rapid pulse, as a result of your body overheating.
 It is caused by water/salt depletion and affects people that do
not drink enough fluids while working in high temperatures,
particularly when combined with high humidity and strenuous
physical activity.
Signs & Symptoms:
 Cool, moist skin, heavy sweating and severe thirst.
 Headache, breathlessness, nausea or vomiting, feeling faint or
fainting.
 Temperature can be normal or as high as 38C, weak pulse, low
blood pressure, rapid breathing, blurred vision.
 Uncontrolled heat exhaustion can evolve into heatstroke.
Heat Exhaustion
Treatment/Management:
 Move the victim immediately out of the heat and to a cool
place.
 Give cool liquids- cool water or ORS.
 Loosen or remove excess clothing.
 Fan and spray with cool water, showering or sponging with
cool water.
 Heat exhaustion casualties respond quickly to prompt first
aid, if not treated promptly or no improvement within 30
minutes, see medical aid.
Heat Stroke

 Heatstroke is a condition caused by your body overheating, usually

as a result of prolonged exposure to or physical exertion in high
temperatures. Body temperature may reach up to 104 F (40 C) or
higher.
Signs & Symptoms:
 Elevated body temperature of 104 F (40 C) or higher.
 Flushed skin and feels warm when touched.
 Altered mental status – confusion, agitation, slurred speech,
irritability, seizures and coma can result from heatstroke.
 Rapid breathing and racing heart rate.
 Weakness, headache and dizziness.
Heat Stroke

 Treatment/Management:
 Seek immediate medical attention – even if the victim seems to be
recovering.
 Move the victim immediately out of the heat.
 Remove excess clothing.
 Bathed with cold or ice water to lower the core body temperature
quickly.
 Wrap using a special cooling blanket and apply ice packs to groin
area, neck, back and armpits.
 If the patient is unconscious do not force to give water or any
medicine.
Risk factors

 WEIGHT – Workers who are overweight are less efficient at losing

heat.
 POOR PHYSICAL CONDITION – Being physically fit aids your ability to
cope with the heat.
 AGE – As the body ages, its sweat glands becomes less efficient.
 MEDICATION – Certain drugs may cause heat intolerance by
reducing sweating or increasing urination. Employees’ should
consult their physician before working.
 ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS – Radiant heat, humidity and air
movement.
 WORKLOAD – High intensity or duration of physical activity.
Prevention of Heat Illness
 Know your signs/symptoms of heat-related
illnesses; monitor yourself and co-workers
 Block out direct sun and other heat
sources.
 A shaded area shall be provided as close as practicable to the work area.
 As, needed take frequent cool-down breaks in the provided shade.
 Use cooling fan/air conditioner; rest
regularly.
 Cooling fan improves comfort and productivity with an evaporated cooling
effect while air conditioners is the best answer to protecting employees from
worst effects of heat stress.
 Always schedule and take periodic rest breaks, especially during exceptionally
hot periods of the day.
 Wear lightweight, light colored and
loose-fitting clothes.
 Wearing lighter weight clothing and gear reduces the amount of heat the body
produces.
 Wear light colored clothes, long sleeves and a broad–brimmed hat whenever
you work in direct sunlight; wear loose fitting clothes to allow for evaporation
of perspiration.
 Don’t take your shirt off! A loose–fitting, long–sleeved shirt blocks the sun’s
rays and keeps them away from your skin. Light colors, too, are better for
keeping you cool. The sun’s rays bounce off light colors but are absorbed by
dark colors.
 Avoid alcohol, caffeinated drinks or
heavy meals.
 Strong tea, coffee or colas are not acceptable substitutes for water because
they build up caffeine in the system and cause frequent urination. Alcohol is
never acceptable in the workplace
 Drink lots of water; about 1 cup every
15 minutes.
 Sweat loss may be as high as 1.5 litres per hour.
 To prevent dehydration, take advantage of scheduled water breaks!
 Drink more than you want just to satisfy your thirst.
 Sources of water are:
 Fluids - 1 cup or 8 oz = 240 mL every 15-20 min
 Foods - fruit & veggies are 90% water
 Why 10-15°C? … to maximize the amount you drink (not too cold, not luke
warm)
 Increase access to safe drinking water
Heat Index Chart
Emergency Response Procedures

 Know where you are.

 Call 999 at once.
 While waiting for help to arrive:
 Elevate the feet
 Move the worker to a cool, shaded area.
 Loosen or remove extra clothing.
 Provide cool drinking water.
 Fan and mist the person with cool water.
 Apply cold compress
 Contact Supervisor immediately.
 Anyone with symptoms must never be sent home or left unattended without a
medical evaluation.
NPS Heat Stress Policy

 OBJECTIVE
 The objective of this policy is to minimize the risk of illness, injury or fatalities to NPS
employees, contractors, client and personnel under supervision from heat related disorders.
 GOAL
 Our goal is to educate and train all NPS personnel to be knowledgeable in early detection of
heat related disorders, provide first aid as needed, and to have a zero casualty or incident
during hot season.
 POLICY
 The policy will be applicable to all NPS employees, contractors and personnel who will be
assigned to work on the base, onshore and offshore locations during summer season or hot
environment
 DEFINITION
 Extreme temperature weather conditions to which a worker is exposed to an unsafe or
unhealthy working environment and may result in unwanted illness, injury or even fatalities.
Responsibilities:

 QHSE
Quality, Heath, Safety and Environment are the forefront in implementing this policy. Below are
the main responsibilities:
 Conducts training, drill and preventive measures to supervisors and workers.
 Monitor temperature forecast, heat index and heat exposure of personnel.
 Observing and recognizing workers for possible signs of heat stress disorders during outdoor
tasks.
 Providing first aid for illness and injury.
 Authority to stop all outdoor activities if extreme temperature is noted.

 DEPARTMENTS
 Departments has the responsibility to initiate training, provide safe drinking water and
shelter for resting, adjust work schedules during summer season and acclimatize new
workers.
 SUPERVISOR
 Ultimate roles of supervisor is to provide safety of the employees, evaluate working conditions,
provide water access and rehydration fluids, ensure workers are knowledgeable with the signs and
symptoms of heat related illness.
 Acclimatize, assist, train and close supervision of new workers.
 Plan and manage activities throughout the day to reduce the risk of heat stress.

 MEDIC
 Briefing of new and current employees the risk and potential hazards in working in hot environment.
 Health teaching and first aid training to all NPS employees, contractors and third party.
 Monitor temperature, strictly implement and follow the heat index chart for heat stress control.
 Provide first aid to those who sustain heat related injuries and determine the need for
hospitalization.
 Making sure that water supplies and ORS are adequate.
 EMPLOYEE
 Participate attentively in all heat related trainings and drill. They should
learn how to detect early signs and symptoms of heat stress, as well as
identifying risk factors.
 Strictly comply and follow the company’s Heat Stress policy.
 Drinking plenty of fluids about 1 cup every 15 to 20 minutes.
 Proper PPE: Wear lightweight, light colored, loose-fitting clothes.
 Be familiar with the emergency response procedures.
 Acclimatize oneself to heat and humidity.
Thanks