Doc ID 04

issue 1
Lufkin Middle Lufkin Heat stress written program Date 02/06/2012
East Prepared by Talaat A. Elkader
Approved by Anthony Beck

Introduction:

Heat stress is caused by working in hot environments. Four environmental factors affect
the amount of heat stress felt by employees in hot work areas: temperature, humidity,
radiant heat (such as from the sun or a furnace), and air velocity. How well or how poorly
an individual reacts to heat stress is dependent on personal characteristics such as age,
weight, fitness, medical condition, and acclimatization.

The body has several methods of maintaining the proper internal body temperature. When
internal body temperature increases, the circulatory system reacts by increasing the amount
of blood flow to the skin so the extra heat can be given off.

Sweating is another means the body uses to maintain stable internal temperatures. When
sweat evaporates, cooling results. However, sweating is effective only if the humidity level
is low enough to permit evaporation and if the fluids and salts lost is replaced.

High temperatures and humidity stress the body’s ability to cool itself, and heat illness
becomes a special concern during hot weather. Heat exhaustion and heat stroke result
when the body overwhelmed by heat. During hot weather, heat illness maybe an
underlying cause of other types of injuries, such as heart attacks. Heat stress occurs when
the body becomes dehydrated and is unable to cool itself enough to maintain a healthy
temperature if left untreated. This can lead to heat stroke, which is life threatening.
Heat stress is the net heat to which a worker may be exposed from the combined
contributions of:
Environmental factors
Metabolic cost of work
Clothing requirements.

There are more forms of heat illnesses, Heat stress may be a source of serious health
problems for workers who must work in hot environments.

Definitions:

1. Heat is a measure of energy in terms of quantity.

2. A calorie is the amount of heat required to raise 1 gram of water 1°C (based on a
standard temperature of 16.5 to 17.5°C).

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Doc ID 04
issue 1
Lufkin Middle Lufkin Heat stress written program Date 02/06/2012
East Prepared by Talaat A. Elkader
Approved by Anthony Beck

3. Conduction is the transfer of heat between materials that contact each other. Heat
passes from the warmer material to the cooler material. For example, a worker's skin
can transfer heat to a contacting surface if that surface is cooler, and vice versa.

4. Convection is the transfer of heat in a moving fluid. Air flowing past the body can
cool the body if the air temperature is cool. On the other hand, air that exceeds 35°C
(95°F) can increase the heat load on the body.

5. Evaporative cooling takes place when sweat evaporates from the skin. High
humidity reduces the rate of evaporation and thus reduces the effectiveness of the
body's primary cooling mechanism.

6. Radiation is the transfer of heat energy through space. A worker whose body
temperature is greater than the temperature of the surrounding surfaces radiates heat
to these surfaces. Hot surfaces and infrared light sources radiate heat that can
increase the body's heat load.

7. Globe temperature is the temperature inside a blackened, hollow, thin copper

globe.

8. Metabolic heat is a by-product of the body's activity.

9. Metabolic heat is a by-product of the body's activity.

10. Natural wet bulb (NWB) temperature is measured by exposing a wet sensor,
such as a wet cotton wick fitted over the bulb of a thermometer, to the effects of
evaporation and convection. The term natural refers to the movement of air around
the sensor.

11. Dry bulb (DB) temperature is measured by a thermal sensor, such as ordinary
mercury- in – glass thermometer that is shielded from direct radiant energy source.

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Doc ID 04
issue 1
Lufkin Middle Lufkin Heat stress written program Date 02/06/2012
East Prepared by Talaat A. Elkader
Approved by Anthony Beck

Heat Disorder and Health Effect:

1. HEAT STROKE: occurs when the body’s system of temperature

regulation fails and body temperature rises to critical levels. This condition is
caused by a combination of highly variable factors, and its occurrence is difficult
to predict. Heat stroke is a medical emergency. The primary signs and symptoms
of heat stroke are confusion; irrational behavior; loss of consciousness;
convulsions; a lack of sweating (usually); hot, dry skin; and an abnormally high
body temperature, e.g., a rectal temperature of 41°C (105.8°F). If body
temperature is too high, it causes death. The elevated metabolic temperatures
caused by a combination of work load and environmental heat load, both of
which contribute to heat stroke, are also highly variable and difficult to predict.
Heat stroke occurs when the core body temperature rises above 40.5C and the
body’s internal systems start to shut down.

Normally, sweating helps to maintain a healthy body temperature by increasing heat

loss through evaporation. When a person becomes dehydrated, they do not sweat as
much, their blood becomes concentrated and organ functioning is impaired.

Many organs in the body suffer tissue damage and the body temperature must be
reduced quickly. Most people will have profound central nervous system changes such
as delirium, coma and seizures. As well as effects on the nervous system, there can be
liver, kidney, muscle and heart damage.

Symptoms:
Heat stroke may appear similar to heat exhaustion, but the skin may be dry with no
sweating and the person’s mental condition worsens. They may stagger, appear confused,
fit, collapse and become unconscious.

Warning signs of heat stroke vary but may include:

 Very high body temperature

 Red, hot, dry skin (no sweating)
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Doc ID 04
issue 1
Lufkin Middle Lufkin Heat stress written program Date 02/06/2012
East Prepared by Talaat A. Elkader
Approved by Anthony Beck

 Dry swollen tongue

 Rapid pulse
 Throbbing headache
 Dizziness, confusion, nausea
 Eventual unconsciousness.

Treatment:

This condition can kill a person quickly. Remove excess clothing; fan and spray the
person with cool water; offer sips of cool water if the person is conscious. 

Managing and preventing heat stroke events or workplaces:

If a worker shows signs of possible heat stroke, professional medical treatment should
be obtained immediately. The worker should be placed in a shady area and the outer
clothing should be removed. The worker's skin should be wetted and air movement
around the worker should be increased to improve evaporative cooling until
professional methods of cooling are initiated and the seriousness of the condition can
be assessed. Fluids should be replaced as soon as possible.

The medical outcome of an episode of heat stroke depends on the victim's physical
fitness and the timing and effectiveness of first aid treatment.
Regardless of the worker's protests, no employee suspected of being ill from heat stroke
should be sent home or left unattended unless a physician has specifically approved
such an order.

2. Heat exhaustion: inadequate salt and water intake causes a person’s body‘s
cooling system to break down. Workers suffering from heat exhaustion should be
removed from the hot environment and given fluid replacement. They should
also be encouraged to get adequate rest.

Symptoms:

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Doc ID 04
issue 1
Lufkin Middle Lufkin Heat stress written program Date 02/06/2012
East Prepared by Talaat A. Elkader
Approved by Anthony Beck

1. Heavy sweating.
2. cool moist skin,
3. Body temperature over 38oC.
4. Weak pulse; normal or low blood pressure; person is tired, weak, clumsy, upset
or confused; is very thirsty; or is panting or breathing rapidly.
5. Vision may be blurred.

Treatment:

This condition can lead to heat stroke, which can kill. Move the person to a cool shaded
area; loosen or remove excess clothing; provide cool water to drink (salted if possible); fan
and spray with cool water.

3. HEAT CRAMPS caused by performing hard physical labor in a hot

environment. These cramps have been attributed to an electrolyte imbalance
caused by sweating. Under extreme conditions, such as working for 6 to 8 hours
in heavy protective gear, a loss of sodium may occur. Recent studies have shown
that drinking commercially available carbohydrate-electrolyte replacement
liquids is effective in minimizing physiological disturbances during recovery.

Symptoms:

Painful cramps in arms, legs or stomach which occur suddenly at work or later at home. 
Cramps are serious because they can be a warning of other more dangerous heat-induced
illnesses.

Treatment

1. Move to a cool area.

2. Loosen clothing and drink cool salted water (1 tsp. salt per gallon of water) or
commercial fluid replacement beverage.
3. If the cramps are severe or don't go away, seek medical aid.

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Doc ID 04
issue 1
Lufkin Middle Lufkin Heat stress written program Date 02/06/2012
East Prepared by Talaat A. Elkader
Approved by Anthony Beck

Move to a cool area; loosen clothing and drink cool salted water ( 1 tsp. salt per gallon of
water) or commercial fluid replacement beverage. If the cramps are severe or don't go
away, seek medical aid.
4. Heat Collapse (Fainting) the brain doesn’t receive enough oxygen. As a
result, the exposed individual may lose consciousness. This reaction is similar to
that of heat exhaustion and does not affect the body's heat balance. However, the
onset of heat collapse is rapid and unpredictable. To prevent heat collapse, the
worker should gradually become acclimatized to the hot environment.

Symptoms:

Sudden fainting after at least two hours of work; cool moist skin; weak pulse.

Treatment:

1. Fainting may be due to a heart attack or other illness.

2. GET MEDICAL ATTENTION. Assess need for CPR.
3. Move to a cool area.
4. Loosen clothing.
5. Make person lie down; and if the person is conscious, offer sips of cool water.
6. Reduce activity levels and/or heat exposure.
7. Drink fluids regularly. Workers should check on each other to help spot the
symptoms which often precede heat stroke.

5. HEAT RASHES are the most common problem in hot work environments.

Symptoms:
1. Prickly heat is manifested as red papules and usually appears in areas where the
clothing is restrictive.
2. As sweating increases, these papules give rise to a prickling sensation.
3. Prickly heat occurs in skin that is persistently wetted by unelaborated sweat, and
heat rash papules may become infected if they are not treated.
4. In most cases, heat rashes will disappear when the affected individual returns to a
cool environment.

Treatment and prevention

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Doc ID 04
issue 1
Lufkin Middle Lufkin Heat stress written program Date 02/06/2012
East Prepared by Talaat A. Elkader
Approved by Anthony Beck

1. Change into dry clothes and avoid hot environments. Rinse skin with cool water.
2. Wash regularly to keep skin clean and dry

5. Heat Fatigue Factor that predisposes an individual to heat fatigue is lack of

acclimatization. The use of a program of acclimatization and training for work in hot
environments is advisable. The signs and symptoms of heat fatigue include impaired
performance of skilled sensorimotor, mental, or vigilance jobs. There is no treatment
for heat fatigue except to remove the heat stress before a more serious heat-related
condition develops.

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