Heat Stress - Controls and Best Practices

Controls & Best Practices

Heat Stress

As we approach summer, with the weather improving, it is important to keep in mind the hazards workers can face when working outdoors. While hot weather is great when you’re relaxing at the cottage, at work it can become a serious health hazard. When your body loses too much sweat through heavy labour or working under hot, humid conditions, you can become dehydrated and face a heat-related illness. Some examples include:

Heat rash (plugged sweat glands)
Heat cramps (salt loss from sweating)
Heat exhaustion
Heat stroke

Under the Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA), employers, owners, constructors, and supervisors are legally required to protect the health and safety of workers, which includes protecting them from heat-related illnesses.

Please take a moment and re-establish a commitment to ensure workers are protected against heat stress. We suggest you deliver a safety talk as a reminder to workplace parties of the hazards, and more importantly, re-establish safe practices and procedures.

Additionally, we encourage you to visit IHSA's Heat Stress topic page to access many FREE resources regarding Heat Stress.

Download Safety Talk

Download Chapter

Download Poster

Controls & Best Practices

When temperatures start to increase in the spring, your body needs to become used to working in the heat. Don’t overdo it. Your body will gradually adjust to working in the heat over time.
Wear light, loose clothing. Light-coloured garments absorb less heat from the sun.
Use PPE that allows sweat to evaporate. Consider cooling vests and reflective clothing. If wearing a hard hat, wear a hard hat tail to protect the neck from direct sunlight.
Drink at least 1 cup (250 ml) of water every half hour. Don’t wait until you feel thirsty or until your regular break.
Avoid coffee, tea, alcohol, or carbonated soft drinks that can make you go to the bathroom.
Avoid eating hot, heavy meals that can increase your body temperature.
Be alert to any symptoms of heat stress in yourself and your co-workers.
Remember that your physical condition can affect your ability to deal with the heat. Age, weight, fitness level, health conditions (e.g., heart disease or high blood pressure), recent illness, or medications can all affect your ability to withstand high temperatures.

Are you having trouble viewing this email - View as Webpage

Sincerely,

Jennifer McKenzie

Director, Stakeholder & Client Engagement

IHSA

IHSA | Website