How To Cope-Up With The Dangerous Heat Stress

During summer days heat stress which includes heat cramps, stroke and exhaustion are very lethal to the mankind it is defined as the dehydrations and tiredness caused by excessive heat and the personnel’s who works in the construction industry need to extra care and precaution to take care of themselves, if proper safety precaution will not be taken then in severe cases it can lead to fatality.

There are four means of heat removal from the body

• Convection:- It is the process of exchange of body heat with the surrounding air that comes in contact with the skin
• Radiation:- The transfer of heat to the body from the air or a hot source like the sun.
• Evaporation:-At very high-temperature skin cools the body through sweating this is the process of evaporation.
• Conduction:-It is the process of direct transfer of heat when it comes in contact with a warm object.
• Dehydration:-It is the process of removal of water from the body due to excess sweating.

There are mainly three disorders due to heat stress:

1. Heat Cramps
2. Heat Exhaustion
3. Heat Stroke

Heat Cramps

• Due to the discharge of fluid from the body and depletion of salts, there is sweat loss which results in muscular pain and spasm especially when these losses are replaced with water alone.
• It happens when the body is in the state of losing too much salt and the muscle becomes cramped.
• This is an early sign of the heatstroke
• All the activity needs to be stopped and the victim needs to be hydrated and given rest in a cool shaded area.

Symptoms

Fatigue and exhaustion, Moist and cool skin, Painful muscles contraction in arms and legs.

Treatment

• The victim needs to be moved to a cool shaded area with cool water that needs to be sprinkled on his body and a cooling fan need to be switched on near to him.
• The patient needs to be provided with drinks that contain electrolytes, minerals, and vitamins.
• The victim's body clothing needs to be loosened and his muscle needs to be stretched.

Heat Exhaustion

This is the case of a serious medical emergency that results from prolonged activity consuming inadequate salt in a hot environment.

• The victim will feel tired, dizzy, nausea, headache.
• All the activity needs to be stopped until medical treatment.

Symptoms

Dehydration, fever, dizziness, headache, nausea, vomiting, shallow breathing and moist skin, headache, rapid pulse, thirst normal or slightly elevated body temperature.

Treatment

• If the condition is not critical it can be treated using the technique applicable in heat cramps.
• But if there is persistent headache, vomiting, and confusion call for help or a medical emergency.
• The Patient needs to be located in a cool shaded area with a cool environment.
• The patient’s feet need to be elevated.
• The patient needs to be provided with adequate fluid and salt replacement (1–2liters over 2–4 hours).
• Cooling fans with ice packs need to be provided in the area.
• Administration of fluid intravenously sometimes is necessary.

Heat Stroke

• This is life-threatening and an emergency resulting from the failure of the thermoregulatory mechanism.
• The skin becomes hot and dry and the victim feels high temperature causing him to be confused.
• It can kill if a proper medical emergency is not provided on time.
• The early signs and symptoms of heatstroke are confusion, irrational behavior, loss of consciousness, convulsions, lack of sweating, hot and dry skin, and abnormally high body temperature
• It can lead to fatality if the body temperature gets too high.
• In this scenario, the body’s cooling system shuts down.

Symptoms

Unconsciousness, hot or dry skin, hypotension high fever, absence of sweating, impaired consciousness, sweating, rapid pulse, high body temperature

Treatment

• The clothing of the patient needs to be loosened and removed.
• The core temperature of the body needs to be reduced rapidly by sprinkling little amounts of water.
• The best method which is exercised to cool the body during a heat emergency is to wrap the patient in cool wet sheets.
• Adequate fluid need to be administered intravenously.
• Antipyretic (aspirin, Panadol) has no effect on environmentally induced hyperthermia and is contraindicated.
• Move the person to a cool shaded area and let the body temperature cool.

Engineering Control

• Planning during the construction and setting up of a workplace if a hot environment is anticipated
• Control heat at source through insulation and reflective barriers
• Reduce temperature and humidity through ventilation
• Reduce physical exertion through mechanical assistance

Administrative Controls

• Implement a schedule for heat acclimatization
• All works shall be stopped at 49o C heat index, especially from 11:30 am to 3 pm during restriction hours from the month of June to September
• Increase and follow the frequency and duration of rest breaks.
• All the jobs which are scheduled in hot weather should be shifted to cooler times of the day.
• Ice-cooled drinking water needs to be provided near the work location and the workforce needs to be encouraged to drink even if they are not feeling thirsty.

PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT (PPE)

PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT (PPE)

• Wear insulated or cool clothing during working hours
• The person needs to wear clothing that allows free movement of air.
• Wear reflective clothing near heat sources
• The Workforce needs to wear eye protection which has the quality to filter bright light especially when the work involves hot objects.
• Sunscreen and sunblocks need to be used when working outdoors
• Wear a hard hat and light clothing to protect skin when working under the sun

General rules and a Zero tolerance policy need to be followed on the Construction site

Zero tolerance policy need to be implemented if there is any deviation on the below-mentioned elements strict action needs to be taken

• Cool drinking water and drinking stations need to be provided in all areas to cope up with the hot and humid conditions.
• An adequate rest shelter with fans needs to be arranged in the areas to beat the heat.
• Work rest schedule shall be strictly followed as per the Heat stress index flag system.
• Approved First aider and adequate numbers of first aid boxes need to be provided in the areas at all times.
• The personnel working in the area need to wear light, loose-fitting, breathable clothing.
• Eat smaller meals before work activity.
• Avoid caffeinated beverages alcohol and huge intake of sugary diets.
• Go for health checkups regularly to avoid any complications.
• Paper cups need to be provided readily in all the areas
• Oral hydration Salt (ORS) or fluids with similar combinations need to provided in all the areas.
• Calibrated Hygrometer needs to be provided to measure heat index and the Humidity index chart needs to updated accordingly and relevant posters along with the Heat stress flag need to be provided for awareness.
• The Supervisor needs to maintain a log for workers for scheduled rest and breaks.
• The employees need to be provided with proper training on heat stress symptoms and controls and records need to be maintained.
• There must be some dedicated crew for frequent water delivery and a properly maintained vehicle need to be provided for the same.
• A flag pole with five colors of flags — Green, Yellow, Orange, Red, and Black need to provided in the areas.
• The workforce needs to wear additional hats and approved head garments as a shade to the sun.
• The portable drinking water needs to be sealed with tape and with the current date labeled.
• The pace of the work needs to be slowed in order to decrease the workload.
• If anyone is having a symptom of heat-related illness they need to report it accordingly.
• No work shall be allowed to proceed in the area wherever the above-mentioned elements are not implemented
• Wear light-colored, loose clothing (Unless working around equipment with moving parts)
• Allow time for employees to adjust to hot jobs when possible. It often takes two to three weeks for an employee to become acclimated to the hot environment.
• Adjust the work schedule if possible.
• Assign heavier work on cooler days or during the cooler part of days.

The Bottom Line

The effect of heat stress is very dangerous so one needs to be very careful while working in an environment which exposed to direct sunlight and high temperature and certain precaution need to be taken in order to minimize the heat effect on the body by taking proper rest and breaks and drinking ice-cooled water if there is no complication, light meals, fruits, and veggies, minimize the time in direct sunlight and hot environment do, one needs to make himself like an athletic and could be aware of the early signs and symptoms of heat disorders and finally eat a healthy diet.

From My Blog How To Cope-Up With The Dangerous Heat Stress — The Sense Mission