Summer safety: the heat is on

August 7, 2021

Temperatures can rise steeply during the summer months. Employers should assess and plan for risks such as exposure to high temperatures and humidity. These precautions do not only apply to outside workers but also to workers exposed to heat sources such as hot ovens.

Heat-related illnesses and consequences

Excess or prolonged exposure to heat causes various illnesses. These illnesses vary from mild to serious and present with different symptoms. Heat-related illnesses are caused by:

• High environmental temperatures.
• Radiant heat sources.
• High humidity.
• Arduous work activities.
• Physical contact with hot objects.

Heat stress occurs when the body retains excess heat. This causes an increase in heart rate and a rise in core temperature. People suffering from heat stress experience loss of concentration, irritability and feeling sick. Should this stress continue, a person may faint or even die.

Heat exhaustion is caused by prolonged periods of exposure and the loss of fluids and salts. Symptoms include headaches, nausea, light-headedness, irritability, weakness, confusion, excess thirst, and profuse sweating. Cooling a person down, such as applying cold to the head, neck or face, and encouraging them to drink small amounts of water help to alleviate heat exhaustion.

The loss of fluids and electrolytes through excess sweating causes heat cramps. Fluid replacements, such as water or electrolyte-based drinks, can address this problem.

Heatstroke occurs when the body’s cooling system shuts down, resulting in serious and life-threatening shock. Typically, the sun shining directly on a person’s head or neck for a period of time causes heat stroke. If not treated immediately, heat stroke causes death. High body temperatures, confusion, unconsciousness and seizures are all signs of heatstroke.

Legislation regarding temperature control and precautions

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) mandates and details the creation of safe and healthy work environments. Risk assessments should include seasonal risks and the acceptable thermal levels at which employees can safely work.

Reuters reported that more than 2,500 people in the UK died due to the heatwaves experienced in 2020. Exposure to heat extremes when working invariably increases the risk of illness or death.

Employers have a duty to ensure that:

•   Indoor temperatures are at acceptable levels.
•   Outdoor employees have the required protection against the weather.
•   Personal protective equipment (PPE) is provided. This includes the provision of sun cream for outside workers.

It is therefore incumbent on employers to evaluate temperature-related risks and implement the necessary measures to counter these risks. These assessments should include environmental and personal factors.

Risk assessments: environmental factors

The environmental factors to be gauged when employees work in heat are:

• Air temperature: This is the temperature of the environment outside the human body and is usually measured in degrees Celsius (°C).
• Radiated heat: Radiant heat originates from heat sources. The sun and thermal processing equipment and products such as fires, cookers, dryers and molten metals produce this heat. When working indoors, these heat sources can significantly impact the comfort and safety of workers.
• Air velocity: This is the movement of air in the direct environments of employees. Moving air in humid or hot conditions helps to decrease body temperatures.
• Humidity: Water droplets or moisture in the air creates humidity. Humidity levels of higher than 70% prevent sweat from evaporating and cause marked personal and environmental discomfort.

Risk assessments: personal factors

The personal factors to be considered include: 

• Insulated or excess clothing, including PPE: This can cause heat stress regardless of environmental temperatures and other factors. Employers should evaluate the uniforms and PPE that employees are expected to wear. These considerations should include the prescribed PPE after the onset of the global coronavirus pandemic.
• Nature of activities: Physical work activities generate more body heat. This body heat has to escape or the body will overheat.
• Metabolic contributors: The mass, age, fitness and gender of a person affect the metabolic processes of the body.

Employer responsibilities

An employer’s responsibilities do not start and end with a risk assessment when it comes to the heat exposure of employees. Employers have the responsibility to:

• Provide training regarding the risks of heat exposure and how to mitigate these. This training can include the dangers of prolonged exposure to the sun, heat stress, how to use sun protection, and checking one’s skin for sun damage such as unusual moles. Employee training should also include the emergency numbers to contact when heatstroke is suspected.
• Control the environmental temperature of indoor working environments. Adequate ventilation (such as opening windows), air conditioners and fans help to regulate air temperatures.
• Ensure that dress codes correlate with both seasonal and environmental working conditions. COVID-19 made it necessary for additional PPE in all working environments. Employers should consider how additional PPE may affect employees in warm weather or hot working conditions.
• Limit exposure to the sun of outdoor employees. This can be done by scheduling more arduous work during the cooler hours of the day, such as mornings. Employers can also ensure that outdoor workers have shady places or air-conditioned facilities where they can cool down.
• Prevent the dehydration of employees by educating them on the importance of drinking water to prevent heat stress. This responsibility includes the provision of water coolers or cold water and encouraging employees to drink water rather than hot beverages such as tea.
• Provide refrigerators to keep food cool and fresh.

Benefits of controlling heat

Implementing measures regarding heat and heat exposure leads to an increase in productivity and employee satisfaction and a decrease in absenteeism rates. Ensuring that employees have adequate, cool water to drink and using air conditioners, fans or shady spots to mitigate working in the heat can prevent serious ailments and consequences.