Working in the Heat
Finally: we can say it, summer is here! Okay, maybe it’s not officially summer yet, but, after a long winter, mid-spring can feel an awful lot like summer. As Canadians, we feel the need to enjoy the summer as much as we can because it tends to slip away before we know it. We encourage you to celebrate these summer months! However, it is also important to be mindful of the hot summer days, especially if you are outside working in the heat.
What are some of the physical hazards associated with working in the heat and sun?
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Extreme Heat
Those working outdoors on hot summer days, or inside hot environments could be at risk for heat stress. Heat stress can lead to heat stroke, heat exhaustion, heat cramps and heat rashes. Let’s take a closer look at these potential conditions of working in the heat.
Heat stroke is when a person’s body is no longer able to cool itself and it loses its major defense from preventing hypothermia.
Symptoms include:
- Body temperature is elevated to 40.5 degrees Celsius
- Skin is hot and dry (not sweaty)
- Dizziness
- Confusion
- Rapid breathing
- Weak pulse
- Semi-consciousness or unconsciousness
It is important to receive medical attention right away, have the affected person move to a cool location, loosen or remove clothing, try cooling them with water and a fan and place cold compresses on their head, neck, armpits and groin area. If treatment for heat stroke does not happen immediately it could result in organ damage or even death.
Heat exhaustion is when the body loses too many fluids and minerals. The combination of heat exhaustion and heat cramps can result in heat stroke.
Symptoms include:
- A headache
- Thirst
- Heavy perspiration
- Nausea
- Dizziness
- Fatigue
- Restlessness
- Impaired judgment
- Loss of appetite
- Weak and rapid pulse
- Cool, moist skin
- Low to normal blood pressure
- Blurred vision
It can also lead to coma or death in extreme cases. The affected person needs immediate medical attention. They need to be relocated to a cool area where they can lie down, loosen clothing and drink fluids.
Heat cramps can occur on their own or in combination with other major heat disorders. Heat cramps are caused by sweating heavily and hydrating but not replacing salt.
Symptoms include:
- Painful cramps in the leg, arm or abdominal muscles
- Hot, moist skin
It’s important to move an affected person who is experiencing heat cramps into a cool area, have them drink fluids, massage the area that is cramping and loosen clothing.
Heat rash is when the skin appears to be red and blotchy and can also be extremely itchy in areas that are constantly damp due to heavy perspiration.
Have the affected person find a cool place to sit, take a cool shower if possible, and make sure to dry the skin thoroughly. Wear loose clothing that breathes, and keep the skin clean in order to unblock clogged pores.
Sweating is our body’s natural response to help cool us down as heat rises.
It can increase your risk of injury by causing sweaty palms, fogged-up safety glasses, and dizziness.
Who is at risk?
Those at the greatest risk of developing a heat-related illness include individuals who are:
- 65 or older
- Overweight
- Have heart disease and/or high blood pressure
- Diabetics
- Those who have previously experienced a heat illness
- Those on medication that can be affected by extreme heat
As people who work outside, it is important to keep yourselves, your colleagues and your employees safe. It is important to limit the time you are spending in the heat, allowing for adequate rest breaks and promoting hydration.
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Sun Exposure
With exposure to the sun comes exposure to ultraviolet (UV) rays. They penetrate and alter the structure of skin cells. The worst part is that they are invisible. There are three types of UV rays: A, B, and C. UVA radiation is thought to have the ability to cause cancer because it can penetrate beyond the top layer of human skin and can damage the connective tissues. It is also the most abundant. UVB rays do not penetrate as deep but can still be damaging. UVC is not dangerous as these rays are absorbed by the atmosphere.
Sun exposure is greatest between 10:00 am and 4:00 pm. The risks of sun exposure include sunburns and skin cancer (basal cell, squamous cell, and melanoma).
Recommendations
- It is best to avoid scheduling work during peak sunlight hours, if at all possible.
- Ensure you can take breaks out of the sun (indoors or find a shady spot).
- Train yourself, your colleagues and your employees about the risk of sun exposure, how to avoid it and the signs and symptoms.
- Encourage your colleagues and employees to wear sunscreen even on cloudy days (minimum 15 SPF)
- SPF (sun protection factor) refers to the amount of time a person’s skin will be protected from a sunburn. For example, SPF 15 means 15 times longer than normal. Remember that sunscreen expires, so be sure to keep an eye on expiry dates.
- Encourage your colleagues and employees to wear sunglasses or provide safety glasses that are UV-absorbent 95% or above
- Promote hydration. Once a person is thirsty, they are already dehydrated. It is best to drink small amounts of water often. If you are in the heat for long periods of time, drinking fluids with electrolytes like a sports drink or lightly salted water is a good idea.
CCOHS offers a great “Working in the Heat” infographic that reviews what you can do as an employer to keep your workers safe in the heat, and what to do if you run into an emergency. Check it out below!
