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HEAT EXHAUSTION SAFETY TALK HANDOUT
BENEFITS
The summer—and its hot, humid weather—is nearly here. So if your workers work outside, in addition to protecting them from the usual hazards, you may also need to protect them from overexposure to the heat. (Note that in certain workplaces, such as bakeries or foundries, heat stress is a year-round safety hazard.) Exposure to extreme heat and/or humidity, whether due to the weather or from equipment, can lead to heat stress and develop into serious conditions, including heat exhaustion.
HOW TO USE THE TOOL
Adapt and give this handout to workers in conjunction with a safety talk on heat exhaustion. Give the talk to all workers who work outside in the heat or who are exposed to high temperatures and/or humidity due to equipment.
OTHER RESOURCES:
WorkSafeBC Toolbox Meeting Guide on Heat Exhaustion
Answers to 7 FAQs about Heat Stress
Heat Stress Self-Audit Checklist
Model Sun Safety Policy
Heat Stress Compliance Centre
HEAT EXHAUSTION SAFETY TALK HANDOUT
Working in the heat and doing heavy physical work can affect the body’s cooling system. If your body is unable to cool itself, you can experience heat stress. If heat stress isn’t treated in the early stages, more serious conditions, such as heat exhaustion, can develop. In heat exhaustion, your body loses too much water and salt as sweat.
Signs and symptoms
• Shallow breathing
• Increased breathing rate
• Weak, rapid pulse
• Cool, pale, clammy skin
• Sweating
• Weakness, fatigue, dizziness
• Headache and nausea
• Fainting
• Muscle cramps
The signs and symptoms are the same as those seen in mild shock. Sweating is an important sign, because it is often the only way to tell apart heat exhaustion from a life-threatening condition called heat stroke. If untreated, heat exhaustion may progress to heat stroke. Workers suffering from heat exhaustion should be transported to medical aid.
Treatment
• Move the worker to a cooler environment. If possible, lay the worker down and remove or loosen tight-fitting clothing.
• Cool the worker by sponging with cool water and fanning. Take care not to cool the worker too much. If the worker begins to shiver, stop cooling.
• In most cases, the patient’s symptoms will improve dramatically within 30 minutes. These patients should still be transported to medical aid.
Prevention
• Acclimatize your body (gradually expose yourself to heat while working).
• Drink plenty of water (one glass every 20 minutes).
• Wear clean, light-coloured, loose-fitting clothing made of breathable fabric.
• Take rest breaks in a cool or well-ventilated area. Take more breaks during the hottest part of the day or when doing hard, physical work. Allow your body to cool down before beginning again.
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