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Heat Stress

Heat Stress. Agenda. Definitions Regulation Responsibilities Hazard identification Risk Assessment. Agenda. Controls Heat Stress Illnesses First Aid . Training Objectives. By the end of the session you will: Know what heat stress is Understand the WorkSafeBC Regulations

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Heat Stress

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  1. Heat Stress

  2. Agenda • Definitions • Regulation • Responsibilities • Hazard identification • Risk Assessment

  3. Agenda • Controls • Heat Stress Illnesses • First Aid

  4. Training Objectives • By the end of the session you will: • Know what heat stress is • Understand the WorkSafeBC Regulations • Understand the risks • Know how to control the risk • Be able to identify symptoms • Know first aid response

  5. Definitions • Heat Stress • Net heat gain • Rise in body temperature • Heat cramps • Heat exhaustion • Heat Stroke

  6. Definitions • Acclimatization • Modification of body functions • Copes more effectively and efficiently with heat

  7. Definitions • Unacclimatized Worker • Not accustomed to working in hot environment

  8. Definitions • WBGT • Wet Bulb Globe Temperature

  9. Definitions • Engineering Controls • Physical arrangements of work • Alterations to the workplace • Use of equipment, materials

  10. Definitions • Administrative Controls • Changing the way work is done

  11. Regulation • Section 7.27 to 7.32 • Measure and assess • Establish controls • Provide education and training • Provide responses to exposure • Special provisions for firefighters

  12. Responsibilities • Employer • Conduct heat stress assessment • Provide controls • Maintain records • Ensure first aid available

  13. Responsibilities • Managers / Supervisors • Post signage • Ensure workers are trained

  14. Responsibilities • Supervisors • Ensure workers are aware of the risks • Be aware of workers’ acclimatization status • Address over-exposure • Provide PPE if required

  15. Responsibilities • Workers • Follow control measures and safe work procedures • Leave hot environments if symptoms appear

  16. Responsibilities • Joint Health & Safety Committee • Advise the employer • Help evaluate workplace conditions • Address worker complaints • Help with investigations as required • Conduct inspections as required

  17. Responsibilities • Fire Department • Requirements for exemption from program • Instruction and training • Work procedures • Specialized PPE

  18. Hazard Identification • Hazard Identification considers: • The environment • Tasks being done • Clothing and equipment used

  19. Hazard Identification • Identification of hazards includes review of: • Incident investigations and reports • Type of work being done • Environmental temperature conditions • Clothing and equipment used • Expressed worker concerns

  20. Hazard Identification • Review of Records and Statistics • Previously identified at risk work areas • Expressed concerns • Incident investigations • Incidents from other similar employers

  21. Hazard Identification • Workload • Refer to handout • Table 1 in the Heat Stress Program

  22. Hazard Identification • Environmental factors • Temperatures greater than 23°C • Indoor or outdoor job • Radiant heat – sunlight • Heat for entire shift? • Humidity levels

  23. Hazard Identification • Clothing • Affect evaporation of sweat • Affects body’s ability to remove heat • Are they permeable to air or water? • Multiple layers

  24. Hazard Identification • Personal Risk Factors • Lack of acclimatization • Poor physical fitness • Obesity • Increased age • Pre-existing medical conditions

  25. Hazard identification • Personal Risk Factors – continued • Short term disorders and minor illness • Chronic skin disorders • Use of medication • Alcohol and drugs • Previous heat stroke

  26. Risk Assessment • Heat stress risk assessment • Assessment factors • Interpretation • Supplementary measurements

  27. Risk Assessment • Assessment factors • Workload (Metabolic rating) • Environmental temperatures • Clothing and equipment • Acclimatization

  28. Risk Assessment • Assessment • Wet Bulb Globe Temperature or WBGT • Interpretation of results

  29. Controlling the Risk • Engineering Controls • Reduce worker activity • Cover or insulate hot surfaces • Shield workers from radiant heat • Provide air conditioning • Provide fans • Reduce humidity

  30. Controlling the Risk • Administrative Controls • Acclimatize workers • Supervision of workers • Schedule work to minimize heat exposure • Drink • Dress appropriately

  31. Controlling the risk • Acclimatize workers

  32. Controlling the Risk • Supervise Workers • Work in pairs or groups • Ensure first aid is available • Establish emergency procedures

  33. Controlling the Risk • Work Scheduling • Work-Rest Cycles • Schedule to minimize heat exposure

  34. Controlling the Risk • Re-Hydrate • Must replenish fluid lost by sweat • Drink continuously throughout day • Employer must provide cool drinking water

  35. Controlling the Risk • Clothing • Suitable for the conditions • Loose fitting • Breathability

  36. Heat Stress Illnesses • Symptoms, Causes and Treatment • Heat Cramps • Heat Exhaustion • Heat Stroke

  37. Heat Stress Illnesses • Heat Cramps – Symptoms • Excessive sweating • Painful muscle cramps

  38. Heat Stress Illnesses • Heat Cramps – Causes • Dehydration • Loss of salt (electrolytes)

  39. Heat Stress Illnesses • Heat Cramps – Treatment • Move to cool area • Loosen clothing • Drink cool, salted water

  40. Heat Stress Illnesses • Heat Exhaustion – Symptoms • Shallow respiration • Increased respiratory rate • Weak, rapid pulse • Cool, pale, clammy skin • Weakness, fatigue dizziness • Headache / nausea / fainting / cramps

  41. Heat Stress Illnesses • Heat Exhaustion – Causes • Insufficient water intake • Insufficient salt intake • Break down in body’s cooling system

  42. Heat Stress Illnesses • Heat Exhaustion – Treatment • Move to cooler area • Provide cool water to drink

  43. Heat Stress Illnesses • Heat Stroke – Symptoms • Hot, dry, flushed skin • Absence of sweating • Agitation, confusion • Decreased level of consciousness • Headache • Nausea and vomiting • Seizures, shock, cardiac arrest

  44. Heat Stress Illnesses • Heat Stroke – Causes • Body overheats • Above 41C body sweating stops • Body temperature continues to rise • Cannot dissipate heat

  45. Heat Stress Illnesses • Heat Stroke – Treatment • Maintain airway, breathing, circulation • Move to coolest place available • Lay worker down • Remove outer clothing • Apply cold water to worker • Provide fluids if conscious • Transport to medical aid

  46. Heat Stress Illnesses • Prevention - for all heat stress illnesses • Reduce activity levels in hot weather • Ensure you are getting enough salt • Drink fluids throughout the workday • Ensure you are acclimatized • Watch out for each other

  47. Heat Stress Illnesses • Fluid replacement • Thirst is not an indicator • Once dehydrated hard to catch up • Drink 150 ml every 15 minutes • Use electrolyte replacement • Do not use salt tablets

  48. Summary • We have discussed: • Definitions • WorkSafeBC regulatory requirements • Responsibilities

  49. Summary • We have discussed – continued • Identification of hazards • Assessment of risks • Risk Control • Symptoms, causes and treatment of heat stress illnesses

  50. Questions

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