Transcript Title

Health Authority Abu Dhabi
Safety in the Heat Programme – Practical
Interventions to controlling Heat Stress on
site
Darren Joubert
Occupational and Environmental Health
Public Health & Research Dept.
Practical Control Solutions
• Establish and enforce work in heat protocols and
procedures
• Inform and train workers and supervisors to recognize heat
stress symptoms and to control heat exposure.
• Training should be conducted in a language
understood by the worker and should include:
• How the body overheats,
• symptoms of heat illness,
• acclimatization,
• work pacing and
• the importance of rest breaks and affects of
clothing
• Implement First-Aid measures for heat-related disorders
• Encouraging good hydration (drinking 2 litres of water
every 2-3 hours, drinking on the bus before work etc.)
Provision of preventative measures
• Provide workers with adequate amounts of drinking
water close to the workplace and if possible
electrolyte replacement drinks. Programmed drinking
every hour can be implemented to encourage
adequate fluid intake.
• Provide workers with appropriate clothing and
personal protective equipment where applicable
including a large personal water container (of at least
1-2 litres in size).
• Allow workers to self pace where applicable and take
rests when they can to cool down.
Acclimatisation and medical issues
• Allow non-acclimatized workers (new arrivals or
workers returning from vacation) time to
acclimatize for 5-7 days before starting hard
work in a hot environment in summer.
• Before working in hot conditions, pre-placement
training (safety induction) should be given.
• Provide medical clearance for work in heat for
any person with a chronic medical condition (e.g.
high blood pressure, obesity) or requiring the
use of certain prescription drugs (consult a
doctor).
Engineering controls
• Insulation of ceilings to minimize solar heat
transfer
• Providing shaded work areas
• Providing cooled and air-conditioned rest
areas with water or electrolyte drinks
available
• Using exhaust ventilation such as extraction
hoods above heat-generating processes like
a furnace or oven to remove heat
• Using forced air-ventilation such as fans to
increase airflow across the skin and
increase evaporation and cooling
• Using cooled air from an air-conditioning
system
For Supervisors…
Information pamphlets
in different languages
covering:
• What happens to the
body when it is
exposed to heat
• How heat exposure
affects a worker –
symptoms
• Prevention of Heat
Illness – What you as
a supervisor should
do
5
For Workers – Key Points to
Remember
6
Key point 1…Drinking enough water
How do you know?
IMPORTANT POINTS TO REMEMBER……
• To Come to work fully hydrated (drink plenty of
water before you get to work at least 1 Litre).
• To Drink plenty of water during the shift at least 2
litres every 2-3 hours in summer (or rehydration
fluid approved by the employer one to one).
• To Drink water regularly and make it a way of life.
• Remind them if they drink water only when thirsty it
is too late.
• To Carry a water container with you of at least 1-2
litres to fill regularly.
Key point 2…Salt Replacement
POINTS to REMEMBER:
• If electrolyte replacement drinks are provided there is
no need to add extra salt to your meals
• If someone has high blood pressure they should be
checked by a doctor before working in heat or
increasing salt intake
• If electrolyte drinks are consumed then they should
alternate with a drink of water one to one over the
day
Key point 3…Rest and Recovery
Self-pace
work – do
not push
beyond the
bodies
limits.
Allow time at night to
recover from the heat
stress during the day
Provide a well
balanced health
diet to help the
body to recover –
avoid coffee,
cola and high
sugar and fatty
foods
Key point 4…Heat Illness
Signs of Heat Illness:
Encourage the reporting of all signs
of heat illness to the supervisor
(feeling faint, dizziness, fatigue,
headache, nausea, vomiting,
cramps).
REMEMBER: HEAT ILLNESS CAN KILL SO BE AWARE!
What to do during Ramadan….
POINTS to REMEMBER:
• Try avoid heat exposure as much as
possible during Ramadan
• Monitor for signs of heat illness such as
skin rashes, dizziness, headaches
• Start the day well hydrated – for Suhoor
with your meal eat fruits, vegetables and
drink plenty of water and unsweetened
fruit juice
• Avoid salty foods at Suhoor
• Drink water and fruit juices at Iftar before
eating
• Avoid strenuous activity and rest in a
cool place where possible
13
Responsibilities of Employers
• Heat exposure and heat stroke can be fatal if
proper controls are not implemented.
• Employers have a legal responsibility to
protect the health of their workers as
stipulated by the UAE Labour Law (Federal
Law No. 8 of 1980).
• Follow the Ministry of Labour Ministerial
Resolution 587 for the midday break in
summer
Tentative dates:
15 June – 15 September 2011
To be confirmed
by Ministry of Labour
3,017+ cases of heat-related illness seen
at HCFs in Abu Dhabi Emirate, 2010
Heat Related Illness Cases
3500
3017
3000
2500
2025
2000
Heat Related Illness
1500
1000
829
500
122
88
0
HEAT
HEAT STROKE
EXHAUSTION
HEAT
SYNCOPE
PRICKLY HEAT
TOTAL
Thank you