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THE CHALLENGE OF HEAT STRESS IN HIGH HEAT ENVIRONMENTS

May 12, 2021


TEMPERATURE IN HIGH HEAT ENVIRONMENTS IS DIFFICULT TO MANAGE AS THE HEAT MUST BE
PRESENT TO CARRY OUT THE WORK, IN THESE SITUATIONS, PPE IS ESSENTIAL.

BACK TO ARTICLES & RESOURCES VIEW ALL WORKPLACE HAZARDS CONTENT

Those working in industrial environments navigate multiple hazards every day.
Some hazards can be mitigated through engineering and administrative controls,
and others through personal protective equipment (PPE). However, the temperature
in high heat environments is very difficult to manage as the heat must be
present to carry out the work. In these situations, PPE is essential, adding to
the difficulty of regulating body temperature which can lead to some very
serious health risks associated with heat stress.




Identifying heat stress at work

As the body grows warmer, blood flow is increased to the skin in order to sweat
and cool the body down. PPE can create a barrier for this process which prevents
sweat evaporating from the skin, making it difficult for the body to regulate
its temperature.

There are a few physiological and behavioral indicators to look out for that
suggest the operator is suffering the effects of heat stress. If you are working
in an environment that it is known there is an increased chance of heat stress,
it is important to be familiar with the following indicators to ensure operator
safety.

Symptoms can include: fatigue, headaches, nausea, dizziness, fainting,
clammy/cold/pale skin, muscle cramps, weak or fast pulse, excessive sweating,
and lack of alertness.




Effects of heat stress

If operators fail to recognize these symptoms when they are occurring and
continue to operate as normal, they can put their health at serious risk. Heat
stress can quickly progress to heat exhaustion which is the body’s response to
excessive dehydration and loss of electrolytes. This can then lead to heat
stroke where symptoms worsen, and the operator can experience seizures or coma.
The effects of this can cause permanent disability or in some instances be fatal
if medical treatment is not provided immediately.

Lack of alertness due to heat stress can also lead to increased likelihood of
accidents. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) found
operators in temperatures exceeding 80°F make on average 5 mistakes an hour, and
19 mistakes an hour after three hours. Heat stress has also been cited as one of
the biggest contributing factors in preventable accidents at work with the
construction industry accounting for more than 40% of heat related worker deaths
across the US.




Reducing the risk

In some instances it is feasible to change work practices, such as providing
shade and hydration, increasing breaks, working outside of the sun’s most
intense times and wearing lighter or more breathable PPE to reduce the effects
of heat stress on workers. However, there are many jobs such as foundry workers,
power plant operators, and welders that simply cannot avoid the heat as it is
ingrained in the work and PPE is required for the operator’s safety. One simple
change however that can make a huge difference is through reconsidering the type
of respiratory protection being used. In many of these settings, tight-fitting
respirators are already being worn in addition to face shields and
fire-retardant clothing. All of this makes the operator warmer, causing
breathing difficulties and increasing the likelihood of heat stress being
experienced.

Loose-fitting powered air purifying respirators can change user's experience of
heat considerably. Although the air that is supplied to the user is the same
temperature as the ambient air, the user feels considerably cooler because the
air is moving, similar to the effects of a fan in a room. The fan is not making
the room any colder, but the air that is moving past the person is moving the
evaporated heat molecules off of our bodies faster, which makes us feel cooler.
This is the same concept with the PPE. As the powered air enters the user's
breathe zone and is dispersed over their head and upper body, sweat is moved
away from them, making the user feel considerably cooler. First and foremost
this can have a huge impact on operators’ safety, but with increased comfort
operators are able to work more efficiently and effectively which leads to
reduced fatigue and greater productivity.

If you’re having trouble with heat stress at your work, then it might be time to
consider using alternative PPE that supports all aspects of operator safety, not
just what is needed for compliance.

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