Heat Stress Management

•Heat stress program:

–Risk assessment process

–Control measures: general controls and job-specific controls

–Training and education of workers

–Incident response, reporting and investigation including first aid

–‘Check’ elements: workplace inspections, annual audits, documentation

 Job Safety Analysis: for specific positions/tasks which may have elevated risk

 Daily Assessment: during summer, assessment is undertaken when pre-determined trigger values are reached:

–WBGT(wet bulb globe temperature) assessed using ‘heat stress monitor’ or humidex assessed using ‘thermal hygrometer’

–Adjustments for clothing, radiant heat, work rate, work/rest cycle

•Provide barriers to shield workers from radiant heat exposure. 

•Provide cooling fans when the air temperature is below skin temperature and the humidity is below 70%. Above these levels causes more heating.

•Consider cooling or dehumidifying the workplace.

•Provide mechanical aids for material handling — dollies, carts, lifting devices — to reduce physical activity. Organize the work to reduce the pace of activity.

•Provide heat stress information and training through verbal and written instructions, annual heat stress training, orientation training, safety talks, etc

•Encourage workers to keep hydrated: drink 1 cup of water every 20 minutes

•Workers to report symptoms of heat stress

•Encourage self-limitation of exposure when the supervisor is not present

•Workers to look out for signs and symptoms of heat stress in co-workers

•Additional training for high-risk workers

Encourage healthy lifestyles 

•If possible, postpone strenuous work until a more relaxed time.

•If work is done outside, ensure that shaded areas are available.

•Rotate workers in and out of hot work areas whenever possible.

•Follow the National campaign of Water, Rest, and Shade.

•Posters: heat stress prevention, heat stress alert, heat stress warning

•Fact sheets: heat stress prevention, signs, and symptoms, shade, reflective surfaces, personal protection, acclimatization, work/rest cycles.

•Training: Safety talks, videos, personal risk assessments, and training guides.

•Risk assessment: Daily monitoring plan.