Heat Stress: What contractors need to know

What does heat stress do to the body?

The effects of heat stress (technically known as heat-related illness) can range from mild to severe, and even death. From headaches, cramps and rashes through to very serious conditions like heat stroke, heat affects people more when they are exerting themselves - so contractors and construction workers (who are often working hard in the heat) are in a high-risk category.

Along with working in very hot environments, confined spaces and poorly ventilated areas can also increase the risk of heat-related illnesses.

Heat awareness for contractors

Coming into the warmer months, it’s important to know about heat-related illness and how to recognise the signs in both yourself and your workmates. Working outdoors under the harsh sun can quickly become dangerous if left unchecked.

Heat-related illness occurs when the body is unable to cool itself to maintain a healthy temperature. This is often because sweating is prevented or impeded by the ambient temperature. As the air outside gets hotter, it’s harder for your body to cool itself through sweat, as sweat evaporation happens less as the air around you gets warmer.

Even if you are sweating, sometimes this isn’t enough to cool your body, and your temperature keeps rising. In the heat, your body can also easily get depleted of salt and water, which can cause changes to the electrolyte balance in your body.

This combination of factors can cause mild to severe symptoms, so it’s important to know the signs and act early before the situation gets worse.

Symptoms of heat-related illness

• Heat rash or ‘prickly heat’
• Heat cramps, muscle pains or spasms, usually in the abdomen, arms or legs
• Dizziness, confusion and fainting - this is caused by blood being diverted away from the brain and towards the skin to help the body cool itself. This leads to a drop in blood pressure which can cause light-headedness and fainting.

Causes of heat stress and heat-related illness include:

• Dehydration
• Working in confined spaces or areas without adequate ventilation
• Sun exposure, especially in the middle of the day

What is the difference between heat-related illness, heat exhaustion and heat stroke?

Heat-related illness is the medical term for the above minor symptoms. Pushing past this point can lead to heat exhaustion. This is a serious condition that occurs when excessive sweating in a hot environment reduces the blood volume. Warning signs may include paleness and sweating, rapid heart rate, muscle cramps (usually in the abdomen, arms or legs), headache, nausea and vomiting, dizziness or fainting.

Once a person’s core body temperature rises above 40.5 degrees C, this becomes heatstroke territory which is a medical emergency. At this temperature, the body’s internal systems start to shut down and many organs in the body suffer damage.

The body temperature must be reduced quickly. Most people will have profound central nervous system changes such as delirium, coma and seizures. The person may stagger, appear confused, have a fit or collapse and become unconscious. As well as effects on the nervous system, there can be liver, kidney, muscle and heart damage.

The symptoms of heatstroke may be the same as for heat exhaustion, but the skin may be dry with no sweating and the person’s mental condition worsens.

It’s important to understand the different first aid treatments required for minor symptoms and severe symptoms. For example, the Victorian Government’s Better Health recommendation is NOT to give someone suffering from heatstroke fluids to drink. For minor symptoms, however, fluids are recommended.

Make sure your first aid representative understands the risks if heat is a factor in your workplace. Find out more information on treatment, symptoms and causes at Better Health, or consult your local workplace health and safety authority.

Things you can do to manage heat at work

• Drink plenty of water and ensure you provide your team with electrolytes or a drink that can help replace lost salts and trace elements. Have a large cooler available with water or sports drink on tap.
• Rearrange shifts, or push tough physical jobs towards the beginning or end of each day rather than the middle part of the day
• Slip, slop, slap - always wear a hat, sunscreen, sunglasses and cover your skin with as lightweight clothing as practical
• Make sure existing PPE is not causing an unintentional safety hazard by restricting movement, airflow or breathing
• Cooling products such as special vests filled with iced water or cool neck scarves can help cool the blood
• Set up fans, shade gazebos and shady areas where your team can take a break
• Invest in a portable ice maker so the team can easily access ice whenever they need it

Also, remember that heat causes other knock-on effects: recognise that heatwaves or prolonged days or weeks of intense heat can interrupt sleep patterns, which can make people more drowsy than usual. This can cause a range of different safety issues.

Shop for products to help you manage heat

Along with hats, sunscreen, safety sunglasses and electrolyte replacement drinks, we supply a full range of lightweight workwear and protective clothing and products for any situation.

Get in touch with our friendly team or shop online today for low prices and fast shipping.

Disclaimer: This information is provided as an introductory guide only and does not constitute professional advice. Ensure you make your own independent enquiries before deciding if a particular product is right for you. Consult the regulations and standards applicable to your area and check with your workplace health and safety representative for further information. Jaybro does not warrant the accuracy, content, completeness or suitability of the information on this site (or any site owned by the Jaybro Group) for your individual purposes.