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Health Authority Abu DhabiSafety in the Heat Programme – Practical
Interventions to controlling Heat Stress on site
Darren JoubertOccupational and Environmental HealthPublic 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
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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
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!
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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
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 2011To be confirmed by Ministry of Labour
3,017+ cases of heat-related illness seen at HCFs in Abu Dhabi Emirate, 2010
HEAT EX-HAUSTION
HEAT STROKE HEAT SYNCOPE
PRICKLY HEAT TOTAL0
500
1000
1500
2000
2500
3000
3500
2025
122 88
829
3017
Heat Related Illness Cases
Heat Related Illness