HEAT STRESS Presented by : MSD EHSS Team June 4, 2014
A SABIC Affiliate
HEAT STRESS Heat Stress: – The amount of heat to which a worker body is exposed to based on external and internal factors: • Environmental Factors ( sun, air temperature, humidity & temperature of surrounding ) • Body Heat (metabolic)
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HEAT STRESS CAUSES OF HEAT STRESS High temperature levels The type of clothing worn
High humidity levels
The physical activity carried out
Low levels of air movement
Heat sources in the area
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HEAT STRESS CONTRIBUTING FACTORS A combination of two or more of the following factors aggravate the bad effect of heat stress on a person: Age Physical condition Type of work
Exposure Time of day Work environment
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CONTRIBUTING FACTORS AGE The young and old people are more likely to suffer from heat stress.
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CONTRIBUTING FACTORS PHYSICAL CONDITION The physically unfit people are more likely to suffer from heat stress.
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CONTRIBUTING FACTORS TYPE OF WORK The people engaged in manual type of work are more likely to suffer from heat stress.
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CONTRIBUTING FACTORS WORK ENVIRONMENT The people working in an open area or exposed to direct sunlight, are more likely to suffer from heat stress.
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CONTRIBUTING FACTORS WORK ENVIRONMENT The people working near heat-generating equipment or in poorly-ventilated area, are more likely to suffer from heat stress.
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CONTRIBUTING FACTORS EXPOSURE The people working continuously without rest periods, are more likely to suffer from heat stress.
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CONTRIBUTING FACTORS TIME OF THE DAY The people working in an open area between 10:00 am and 3:00 pm., are more likely to suffer from heat stress due to the high ambient temperature.
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BASIC SYMPTOMS OF HEAT STRESS 1. Profuse sweating 2. General body weakness 3. High body temperature 4. Pale skin 5. Dizziness 6. Nausea
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HEAT STRESS WHAT ARE THE HEALTH EFFECTS OF HEAT STRESS???
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HEAT CRAMPS
CAUSES This normally happens after hard physical work. Most often to people who aren’t used to the heat, who sweat a lot or don’t drink enough fluids.
SYMPTOMS Severe pain and cramps in legs and abdomen, fainting or dizziness, weakness, profuse sweating and headaches. Painful muscle cramps, usually in legs or abdomen, warn that heat stress is developing.
TREATMENT Stop activity, rest in cool place, drink lots of water or sports beverage
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HEAT EXHAUSTION CAUSES excessive loss of body fluids and important salts in sweat due to overexposure to high temperatures and humidity. SYMPTOMS Heavy sweating Worker is pale and tired Nausea and vomiting Headache, blurred vision Dizziness and fainting
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HEAT EXHAUSTION TREATMENT Get to the shade, cool off, drink lots of water , cold wet towels or ice, fan and elevate legs above heart.
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HEAT STROKE CAUSES The body’s temperature regulation mechanism fails and sweating stops. The Core body temperature rises dramatically SYMPTOMS Headache, nausea, dizziness, skin is red, dry and very hot (sweating has ceased). No sweating, Disorientation, unconsciousness, convulsions and death.
Heat exhaustion Can progress to Heat stroke
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HEAT STROKE TREATMENT Remove to cooler location, loosen clothing, immerse in cool water, wrap in wet sheets, cold compresses to the head, neck and groin.
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HEAT STROKE
Heat stroke is a medical emergency and a life threatening condition.
SEEK MEDICAL ATTENTION IMMEDIATELY…
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HEAT STRESS WHO IS AT RISK?? People with: Overweight Very small body size Physical condition Lack of heat acclimatization Heart disease, high blood pressure Diabetes
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HEAT STRESS HEAT STRESS CONTROLS & MANAGEMENT • Cool building/process • Reduce job demands • Provide fans/ventilation in working area • PPE (personal proactive equipment) • Awareness • Drinking lots of water • Encourage drinking (Babylyte / rehydration drinks)
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HEAT STRESS
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THANK YOU
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