CHAPTER 5

HEAT AND TEMPERATURE

HAZARDS

Prepared by: Nor Azimah Miskah

CONTENT

BASIC CONCEPT OF THERMAL

ENERGY
HEAT STRESS AND PREVENTION
BURN AND THEIR EFFECTS
COLD HAZARDS
 BASIC CONCEPT OF THERMAL
ENERGY
WHAT IS HEAT
 The Universe is made up of matter and energy. Matter is made up of
atoms and molecules (groupings of atoms) and energy causes the atoms
and molecules to always be in motion - either bumping into each other
or vibrating back and forth.
 The motion of atoms and molecules creates a form of energy called
heat or thermal energy which is present in all matter. Even in the
coldest voids of space, matter still has a very small but still measurable
amount of heat energy.
 Energy can take on many forms and can change from one form to
another. Many different types of energy can be converted into heat
energy. Light, electrical, mechanical, chemical, nuclear, sound and
thermal energy itself can each cause a substance to heat up by
increasing the speed of its molecules. For example, when we are cold,
we can jump up and down to get warmer.
 Examples of various types of energy being converted into
thermal energy (heat):
1. Mechanical energy is converted into thermal energy
whenever you bounce a ball. Each time the ball hits the
ground, some of the energy of the ball's motion is
converted into heating up the ball, causing it to slow
down at each bounce.
2. Electrical energy is converted into thermal energy when
you use objects such as heating pads, electrical stove
elements, toasters, hair dryers, or light bulbs.
3. Chemical energy from the foods we eat is converted into
heating our bodies.
4. Light from the sun is converted to heat as the sun's rays
warm the earth's surface.
 What are the different forms of energy?
 Kinetic Energy:
Consider a baseball flying through the air. The ball is said to have
"kinetic energy" by virtue of the fact that its in motion relative to
the ground. You can see that it is has energy because it can do "work"
on an object on the ground if it collides with it (either by pushing on it
and/or damaging it during the collision). 

 Potential Energy:
Consider a book sitting on a table. The book is said to have "potential
energy" because if it is nudged off, gravity will accelerate the book,
giving the book kinetic energy. Because the Earth's gravity is
necessary to create this kinetic energy, and because this gravity depends
on the Earth being present, we say that the "Earth-book system" is what
really possesses this potential energy, and that this energy is converted
into kinetic energy as the book falls. 
 Thermal, or heat energy:
Consider a hot cup of coffee. The coffee is said to possess
"thermal energy", or "heat energy" which is really the
collective, microscopic, kinetic and potential energy of
the molecules in the coffee (the molecules have kinetic
energy because they are moving and vibrating, and
they have potential energy due their mutual attraction
for one another - much the same way that the book and
the Earth have potential energy because they attract
each other). Temperature is really a measure of how much
thermal energy something has. The higher the temperature,
the faster the molecules are moving around and/or
vibrating, i.e. the more kinetic and potential energy the
molecules have. 
 Chemical Energy:
Consider the ability of your body to do work. The glucose
(blood sugar) in your body is said to have "chemical
energy" because the glucose releases energy when
chemically reacted (combusted) with oxygen.
 Electrical Energy

All matter is made up of atoms, and atoms are made up of

smaller particles, called protons (which have positive
charge), neutrons (which have neutral charge), and
electrons (which are negatively charged). Electrons orbit
around the center, or nucleus, of atoms, just like the moon
orbits the earth. The nucleus is made up of neutrons and
protons.
 Electrochemical Energy:
Consider the energy stored in a battery. Like the example
above involving blood sugar, the battery also stores energy
in a chemical way. But electricity is also involved, so we
say that the battery stores energy "electro-chemically". 
 Nuclear Energy:

The Sun, nuclear reactors, and the interior of the Earth, all 
have "nuclear reactions" as the source of their energy, that
is, reactions that involve changes in the structure of the
nuclei of atoms.
 Sound Energy:

 Sound waves are compression waves associated with the

potential and kinetic energy of air molecules. When an
object moves quickly, for example the head of drum, it
compresses the air nearby, giving that air potential energy.
SUMMARY
 Heat is the energy an object has because of the
movement of its atoms and molecules which are
continuously jiggling and moving around, hitting each
other and other objects. When we add energy to an
object, its atoms and molecules move faster increasing
its energy of motion or heat. Even objects which are
very cold have some heat energy because their atoms are
still moving.
 Thermal energy is generated and measured by heat of
any kind. It is caused by the increased activity or
velocity of molecules in a substance, which in turn
causes temperature to rise accordingly.
 HEAT STRESS AND PREVENTION
The basics of heat stress
When the thermometer rises, it can-and often
does-create a multitude of problems. Anyone,
given the right (or wrong) conditions, can get
heat stress.
Some are lucky enough to suffer only from heat
cramps, while those who are less fortunate may
be laid up by heat exhaustion or devastated by
heat stroke. As the long, hot days of summer
approach, it is helpful to review the effects of
warm weather on the human body, the illnesses
that may result and what you can do.
 Heat stroke is classified in two ways: classic and exertional.
 Classic heat stroke
 also known as the "slow cooker," may take days to develop.
This condition is prevalent during summer heat waves and
typically affects poor, elderly, chronically ill, alcoholic or
obese persons.
 Because the elderly often have medical problems, heat
stroke exacerbates the problem, and more than 50 percent of
elderly heat-stroke victims die3/4even with medical care.
Death results from a combination of a hot environment and
dehydration.
 Exertional heat stroke
 also is more common in the summer. You see it frequently
in athletes, laborers and military personnel who sweat
profusely.
 Known as the "fast cooker," this condition affects healthy,
active individuals who strenuously work or play in a warm
environment.
 Exertional heat-stroke victims usually are sweating when
stricken, while the classic victims are not sweating. Its
rapid onset does not allow enough time for severe
dehydration to occur.
 When blood delivers heat to the skin, two of the most
important ways the body loses heat are radiation and
evaporation (vaporization of sweat). When the
temperature is 70oF or less, the body releases its heat by
radiation.
 In fact, people working on hot summer days actually
gain heat through radiation from the sun. This leaves
evaporation as the only way to effectively control body
temperature.
 Types of heat stress

1. Heat Stroke
 The most serious heat-related disorder. It occurs when the
body becomes unable to control its temperature: the body's
temperature rises rapidly, the sweating mechanism fails,
and the body is unable to cool down.
 Heat stroke can cause death or permanent disability if
emergency treatment is not given.
 Symptoms: Hot, dry skin (no sweating), Hallucinations
,Chills Throbbing headache, High body temperature
,Confusion/dizziness
2. Heat Exhaustion
 Heat exhaustion is the body's response to an excessive loss
of the water and salt, usually through excessive sweating.
 Workers most prone to heat exhaustion are those that are
elderly, have high blood pressure, and those working in a
hot environment.
 Symptoms: Heavy sweating ,Extreme weakness or fatigue,
Dizziness, confusion,Nausea ,Clammy, moist skin ,Pale or
flushed complexion,Muscle cramps
3. Heat Syncope
 Heat syncope is a fainting (syncope) episode or dizziness
that usually occurs with prolonged standing or sudden
rising from a sitting or lying position. Factors that may
contribute to heat syncope include dehydration and lack of
acclimatization.
 Symptoms: Light-headedness, Dizziness, Fainting
4. Heat Cramps
 Heat cramps usually affect workers who sweat a lot during
strenuous activity. This sweating depletes the body's salt
and moisture levels. Low salt levels in muscles causes
painful cramps. Heat cramps may also be a symptom of
heat exhaustion.
 Symptoms : Muscle pain or spasms usually in the
abdomen, arms, or legs.
5. Heat Rash
 Heat rash is a skin irritation caused by excessive sweating
during hot, humid weather.
 Symptoms of heat rash include:
 Heat rash looks like a red cluster of pimples or small
blisters.
 It is more likely to occur on the neck and upper chest,
in the groin, under the breasts, and in elbow creases.
 Prevention
Recommendations for Employers
Employers should take the following steps to protect workers
from heat stress:
 Schedule maintenance and repair jobs in hot areas for
cooler months.
 Schedule hot jobs for the cooler part of the day.
 Acclimatize workers by exposing them for progressively
longer periods to hot work environments.
 Reduce the physical demands of workers.
 Use relief workers or assign extra workers for physically
demanding jobs.
 Provide cool water or liquids to workers.

◦ Avoid drinks with caffeine, alcohol, or large amounts of

sugar.
 Provide rest periods with water breaks.
 Provide cool areas for use during break periods.
 Monitor workers who are at risk of heat stress.
 Provide heat stress training that includes information
about:
◦ Worker risk
◦ Prevention
◦ Symptoms
◦ The importance of monitoring yourself and coworkers
for symptoms
◦ Treatment
◦ Personal protective equipment
Recommendations for Workers
 Wear light-colored, loose-fitting, breathable clothing such
as cotton.
◦ Avoid non-breathing synthetic clothing.
 Gradually build up to heavy work.
 Schedule heavy work during the coolest parts of day.
 Take more breaks in extreme heat and humidity.

◦ Take breaks in the shade or a cool area when possible.

 Drink water frequently. Drink enough water that you never
become thirsty.
 Avoid drinks with caffeine, alcohol, and large amounts of
sugar.
 Be aware that protective clothing or personal protective
equipment may increase the risk of heat stress.
 Monitor your physical condition and that of your
coworkers.
 BURN AND THEIR EFFECTS

 A burn is a type of injury to the skin caused by heat,

electricity, chemicals, light, radiation or friction.
 Most burns only affect the skin (epidermal tissue and
dermis). Rarely deeper tissues, such as muscle, bone, and
blood vessels can also be injured.
 Managing burns is important because they are common,
painful and can result in disfiguring and disabling
scarring.
 Burns can be complicated by shock, infection, multiple
organ dysfunction syndrome, electrolyte imbalance and
respiratory distress.
 Classification of the illness
First-degree burns
 usually limited to redness (erythema), a white plaque and
minor pain at the site of injury.
 These burns involve only the epidermis. Most sunburns can
be included as first-degree burns.
Second-degree burns
 manifest as erythema with superficial blistering of the skin,
 Second-degree burns involve the superficial (papillary)
dermis and may also involve the deep (reticular) dermis layer.
 Deep dermal burns usually take more than three weeks to
heal and should be seen by a surgeon familiar with burn care,
because in some people very bad hypertrophic scarring can
result. Burns that require more than three weeks to heal are
often excised and skin grafted for best result.
Third-degree burns
 occur when the epidermis is lost with damage to the
subcutaneous tissue.
 Burn victims will exhibit charring and extreme damage of
the epidermis, and sometimes hard eschar will be present.
 These burns may require grafting. These burns are not
painful, as all the nerves have been damaged by the burn
and are not sending pain signals; however, all third-degree
burns are surrounded by first and second-degree burns.
CAUSES
 Burns are caused by a wide variety of substances and
external sources such as:
Chemicals burn
 Most chemicals that cause severe chemical burns are
strong acids or bases. Chemical burns can be caused by
caustic chemical compounds such as Hydrofluoric acid,
sodium hydroxide or silve nitrate, and acids such as
sulfuric acid.
Radiation burn
 Radiation burns are caused by protracted exposure to UV
light (as from the sun), tanning booths, radiation therapy
(as patients who are undergoing cancer therapy),
sunlamps, radioactive fallout, and X-rays.
Electrical burn
 Electrical burns are caused by either an exogenous electric
shock or an uncontrolled short circuit. (A burn from a hot,
electrified heating element is not considered an electrical
burn.) Common occurrences of electrical burns include
workplace injuries. Lightning is also a rare cause of
electrical burns
Scalding
 Scalding is caused by hot liquids (water or oil) or gases
(steam), most commonly occurring from exposure to high
temperature tap water in baths or showers or spilled hot
drinks. A so called immersion burn is created when an
extremity is held under the surface of hot water, and is a
common form of burn seen in child abuse.
 COLD HAZARD
 Working in cold conditions is a hazard with many
thousands of workers exposed to cold in environments
such as outdoor work in winter months, freezer plants,
meat packinghouses and cold storage facilities.
 As with all workplace hazards, the hazard should be dealt
with in this way:
Identification of the hazard
Ensure the employer monitors the workplace
environment - air movement and temperature in
particular. You should also consider the combined effect
of wind and low temperature ("wind chill" factor), where
cooling or freezing of exposed flesh increases rapidly as
wind velocity increases.
 Assessment of the risk
Keep a check on all workplace monitoring results and
reported incidents.
Elimination or reduction of the risk
Negotiate with the employer to introduce appropriate
controls. Always attempt to introduce controls at the
source first. Examples of possible risk controls are:
Effective, controllable heating of workplaces. Outside
work in cold weather to be sheltered, screened and warmed
with hot air blowers if possible, Provision of hot drinks.
Review and evaluation of any control strategies
 What are the health effects of exposure to extreme cold?

 Increased incidence of arthritis, rheumatism and bronchitis;

muscle/tissue damage
 Decrease in dexterity and sensitivity : As hands and feet
become cold, stiff, numb and painful, a worker cannot
perform manual tasks w
 Increase in accident rates
 Hypothermia : decrease in the core body temperature to a
level at which normal muscular and cerebral functions are
impaired.
 Reproductive disorders : The brain of an early developing
foetus is vulnerable to severe disturbances as a result of its
mother suffering hypothermia.
 Frostbite:Damage may range from mild, superficial tissue
damage to massive tissue damage and gangrene.