WORKPLACES WITH THESE CONDITIONS MAY INCLUDE. IRON AND STEEL FOUNDRIES, NONFERROUS FOUNDRIES, BRICK-FIRING AND CERAMICS PLANTS, GLASS  FACILITIES, RUBBER FACTORIES, ELECTRICAL UTILITIES, BOILER ROOMS,BASEMENTS, BAKERIES, CONFECTION COMMERCIAL KITCHENS,  LAUNDRIES, FOOD CANNERIES, CHEMICAL PLANTS, MINING SITES, SMELTERS AND STEAM TUNNELS.

WHY IS HEAT A HAZARD TO WORKERS?

WHEN A PERSON WORKS IN A HEATED ENVIRONMENT, THE BODY NEEDS TO RELEASE EXCESS HEAT IN ORDER TO MAINTAIN A STABLE INTERNAL TEMPERATURE. IT DOES THIS PRIMARILY BY CIRCULATING BLOOD TO THE SKIN AND SWEATING. COOLING THE BODY BECOMES DIFFICULT WHEN THE AIR TEMPERATURE IS CLOSE TO OR WARMER THAN NORMAL BODY TEMPERATURE. THE HEAT OF BLOOD CIRCULATED TO THE SKIN CANNOT BE LOST.SWEATING IS THEN THE MAIN WAY THE BODY COOLS DOWN. BUT SWEATING IS ONLY EFFECTIVE IF THE HUMIDITY LEVEL IS LOW ENOUGH TO ALLOW EVAPORATION AND THE LOST FLUIDS AND SALTS ARE ADEQUATELY REPLACED.

EXCESS HEAT WILL BE STORED IF THE BODY CANNOT GET RID OF IT. WHEN THIS HAPPENS, THE BODY’S CORE TEMPERATURE AND HEART RATE INCREASE. THE PERSON BEGINS TO LOSE CONCENTRATION AND HAS DIFFICULTY FOCUSING ON A TASK, MAY BECOME IRRITABLE OR SICK, AND OFTEN LOSES THE DESIRE TO DRINK AS THE BODY CONTINUES TO STORE HEAT.IF THE PERSON IS NOT COOLED DOWN, THE NEXT STAGE IS MOST OFTEN FAINTING AND EVEN DEATH. EXTREME HEAT EXPOSURE CAN CAUSE A VARIETY OF HEAT-RELATED ILLNESSES, INCLUDING HEAT RASH AND HEAT CRAMPS, AS WELL AS HEAT EXHAUSTION AND HEAT STROKE. HEAT STROKE CAN BE DEATHLY AND REQUIRES IMMEDIATE MEDICAL ATTENTION.

ATTENTION. EXPOSURE TO HEAT CAN ALSO INCREASE THE RISK OF INJURIES BECAUSE OF SWEATY PALMS, FOGGED GLASSES, DIZZINESS AND BURNS FROM HOT SURFACES OR STEAM.

WHO COULD BE AFFECTED BY THE HEAT? 
EXPOSED WORKERS IN HOT INDOOR ENVIRONMENTS OR HOT AND HUMID OUTDOOR CONDITIONS ARE AT RISK OF HEAT-RELATED ILLNESSES, ESPECIALLY THOSE DOING HEAVY WORK TASKS OR WEARING BULKY OR NON-BREATHABLE PROTECTIVE CLOTHING. SOME WORKERS MAY BE AT HIGHER RISK THAN OTHERS IF THEY DO NOT HAVE A TOLERANCE TO HEATED CONDITIONS OR HAVE CERTAIN HEALTH CONDITIONS.WORKERS WHO ARE SUDDENLY EXPOSED TO WORKING IN A HOT ENVIRONMENT FACE EXTRA SAFETY AND HEALTH RISKS.NEW AND RETURNING EMPLOYEES ARE ESPECIALLY VULNERABLE. THAT IS WHY TO PREPARE FOR THE HEAT IS SO IMPORTANT: EDUCATE WORKERS ABOUT THE DANGERS OF HEAT EXPOSURE, ACCLIMATIZE WORKERS TO THE HEAT, AND ALLOW FOR REGULAR BREAK TIMES TO HELP WORKERS COMBAT HEAT-RELATED ILLNESSES

HOW DO I KNOW IF IT’S TOO HOT? 

THE TEMPERATURES RISE, HUMIDITY LEVELS RISE, THE SUN GETS STRONGER, THERE IS NO BREEZE TO COOL THINGS DOWN, NO CONTROLS ARE IN PLACE TO LESSEN THE EFFECTS OF HEAT-RADIATING MACHINERY OR CLOTHING, AND THE WORK IS STRENUOUS.

HOW HEAT-RELATED ILLNESSES CAN BE PREVENTED?

WORK PRACTICES LIKE WORK/REST CYCLES, DRINKING WATER FREQUENTLY, AND PROVIDING AN OPPORTUNITY FOR WORKERS TO BUILD UP A TOLERANCE FOR WORKING IN THE HEAT ARE IMPORTANT WAYS TO REDUCE HEAT EXPOSURE AND THE RISK OF HEAT-RELATED ILLNESS. ENGINEERING CONTROLS, SUCH AS AIR CONDITIONING AND VENTILATION, MAKE THE WORK ENVIRONMENT COOLER.EMPLOYERS SHOULD INCORPORATE THESE PREVENTATIVE MEASURES INTO THEIR IN-HOUSE TRAINING PROGRAMS. IT IS ALSO CRUCIAL TO BE FAMILIAR WITH THE SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF HEAT-RELATED ILLNESSES SO YOU CAN TAKE CARE OF YOURSELF AND OTHERS IN HOT WEATHER. PREPARE FOR AND BE FAMILIAR WITH POTENTIAL EMERGENCY SITUATIONS; SWIFT ACTION CAN SAVE LIVES