For many of us, summer is a season when relaxation, leisure and nature are more present than ever. By letting our worries get the better of us, we can sometimes let our guard down and forget a few things that are important for getting through the summer season safely. More common among workers, heatstroke is a phenomenon that deserves closer attention. While we enjoy the intense heat, our bodies are more focused on fighting it.
What is heat stroke?
Heat stroke occurs when the body temperature, normally 37°C, rises to over 40°C. This discomfort occurs when the body fails to cool itself adequately.
It can occur insidiously, but also suddenly, during physical work in a hot environment.
In the absence of immediate cooling measures, hyperthermia can progress, causing irreversible damage to vital organs and eventually death.
What are the signs and symptoms of heat stroke?
- Dizziness
- Vertigo
- Unusual fatigue
- Incoherent statements/confusion
- Loss of balance
- Loss of consciousness
12 tips from CNESST to prevent heat stroke
- Inform your workers and supervisors about the danger of heatstroke and the means of protection available.
- Provide workers with enough fresh water and make sure they drink it. Tell them it’s important not to wait until they’re thirsty before drinking. In hot weather, we don’t necessarily feel thirsty, but our bodies do become dehydrated!
- Encourage your workers to be alert to symptoms and signs of heat-related discomfort.
- Put off difficult, non-essential tasks until later, or until a cooler part of the day.
- Set up work and rest areas in the shade, or in a cool/air-conditioned location.
- Rotate tasks.
- Prohibit workers from working alone.
- Provide mechanical handling aids.
- Use a fan to create air movement towards the workers (only if the air temperature is not too high).
- Evacuate heat and water vapour from buildings using a ventilation system, and insulate sources of radiant heat.
- Make sure you can provide first aid quickly (communication system, trained first-aiders, agreement with a hospital emergency service, etc.).
- Establish a break system based on your established policy.
Every year, an average of 17 workers fall ill as a result of working in the heat. Make sure your employees are not part of this statistic.
To learn more about preventive measures and what to do when a worker shows signs and symptoms, click
here
.
Any questions? Contact us now!
