HEAT STRESS/HOT WEATHER PROGRAM INTRODUCTION: The Dufferin-Peel - - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

HEAT STRESS/HOT WEATHER PROGRAM

DUFFER FERIN-PE PEEL CATHOLIC LIC D DISTR TRIC ICT S T SCHOOL B L BOARD.

INTRODUCTION:

• The Dufferin-Peel Catholic District School Board recognizes the

potential problems caused by high temperatures in the work environment.

• In order to reduce the potential for heat-related illness, the

Board has developed a Heat Stress/Hot Weather program as a proactive measure with respect to heat stress.

• This program requires the full cooperation
• f all members of the Dufferin-Peel

community, Senior Management, the Joint Health and Safety Committees, Supervisors and Workers.

PURPOSE OF THE PROGRAM

• The intention of the program is to provide a basic

understanding of the effects of heat on the body and to prevent heat- related illnesses for all staff and students of the Dufferin- Peel Catholic District School Board. This program document will also provide specific recommendations for controls that should be applied to prevent heat related illness.

WHAT IS HEAT STRESS?

• Normal body temperature is 37° Celsius (98.6° Fahrenheit).
• Heat stress is the overloading of the body’s cooling system.

Working or playing when it is hot puts stress on your body’s cooling system. When heat is combined with other stresses such as hard physical work, loss of fluids, fatigue or some medical conditions, it may lead to heat- related illness, disability

• r even death.
• This can happen to anybody ― even the

young and fit. Heat exposure may occur in many workplaces and Schools. Humidity also contributes to Heat Stress.

CHART #1

Caus use Sympt mptoms ms Preventio ion

Heat Rash Hot humid environment; plugged sweat glands Red bumpy rash with severe itching Wash regularly to keep skin clean and dry. Sunburn Too much exposure to the sun. Red painful or blistering and peeling skin Work in the shade; cover skin with clothing; wear suntan lotions with sun protection factor

• f at least 15. People with fair

skin should be especially cautious. Heat Cramps Heavy sweating drains a person’s body of salt, which cannot be replaced just by drinking water. Painful cramps in arms, legs or

• stomach. Can occur suddenly at

work or later at home. Cramps are serious because they can be a warning of other more dangerous heat-induced illnesses. When working in the heat, workers should put salt on their food (if on a low salt diet, this should be discussed with a doctor.) This will give the body all the salt it needs; do not take salt tablets.

CHART #1 CONTINUED

Ca Caus use Symp mptoms ms Prevention Fainting Not enough blood flowing to the head, causing loss of consciousness. Sudden fainting after at least two hours of work; cool moist skin; weak pulse. Reduce activity levels and/or heat exposure. Drink fluids

• regularly. Workers should

check on each other to help spot the symptoms that often precede heat stroke. Heat Exhaustion Inadequate salt and water intake causes the body’s cooling system to star break down/ Heavy sweating; cool moist skin; body temperature over 38o C; weak pulse; normal or low blood pressure; person is tired, weak, clumsy, upset or confused; is very thirsty; or is panting or breathing rapidly; vision is blurred. Reduce activity levels and/or heat exposure. Drink fluids

• regularly. Workers should

check on each other to help spot the symptoms that often precede heat stroke. Heat Stroke If a person’s body has used up all its water and salt, it will stop sweating. This can cause body temperature to rise. High body temperature (41o C) and any one of the following; person is weak, confused, upset

• r acting strangely; has hot, dry,

red skin; a fast pulse; a headache

• r dizziness. In later stages, a

person may pass out and have convulsions. Reduce activity levels and/or heat exposure, Drink fluids

• regularly. Workers should

check on each other to help spot the symptoms that often precede heat stroke.

RESPONSIBILITIES UNDER THE HEAT CONTROL PROGRAM Supe pervisors/Sch School A Adm dministrators:

• To ensure that the hazards & symptoms of heat induced

disorders and standard operating procedures for working in hot environments are made known to employees.

• To ensure all employees use appropriate equipment and

materials for working in hot environments.

• To promptly report known or suspected

incidents on a GF 390, Incident Investigation Report

RESPONSIBILITIES UNDER THE HEAT CONTROL

PROGRAM

Employees ees:

• Through appropriate provision of information, be familiar with
• the hazards associated with working in hot environments,
• the symptoms of heat related disorders and
• the pertinent standard operating procedures for the environment.
• To use appropriate equipment and materials provided for

working in hot environments.

• To immediately report any symptoms of

Heat Stress they experience to First-aid personnel and obtain proper medical attention and inform their Supervisors.

MANAGING HEAT STRESS INDUCED BY HOT WEATHER

• For hot work environments due to hot weather, a Hot Weather

Plan is appropriate.

• School board sites have hot work environments such as boiler

rooms, hospitality kitchens, offices/classrooms that are not air conditioned as well as portable classrooms.

• A Hot Weather Plan is a simplified Heat Stress Control Plan that

uses Humidex readings to trigger specific Heat Stress Response protocols.

HEA EAT RESP ESPONSE P PLAN

• An increased humidity can give the

perception of a higher temperature. It also makes the office feel stuffy.

• Humidex is used by the weather

forecast service of Environment Canada to inform the public about how hot it is outdoors and also can be used to warn of in-door heat stress conditions.

• Monitoring the local humidex is the key to recognizing

conditions where hot weather may be hazardous.

• Supervisors should monitor the local humidex through

Environment Canada, the Ontario Ministry of the Environment, the Weather Network or the local radio station.

• Measure the temperature and humidity at the worksite with a

simple thermometer/hygrometer combination unit and determine the Humidex using the Table in Appendix B.

HEAT RESPONSE PLAN

• Key Humidex levels to watch out for
• ccur when:
• A Humidex reaching or exceeding 35°

Celsius occurs; or,

• There is an Environment Canada

Humidex advisory (air temperature exceeding 30° Celsius and Humidex exceeding 40° Celsius) or, an Ontario Ministry of the Environment smog alert;

• r,
• There is a Peel Health Heat Alert.

Responses to hot conditions based on Humidex

RESP ESPONSES T S TO O HOT CON ONDITIONS B BASED SED ON ON HUMI UMIDE DEX

• Humidex 1 refers to “moderate”* work (unacclimatized), and

the need for general heat stress controls.

• Humidex 2 refers to “light”* work (unacclimatized), and the

need for general as well as specific heat stress controls e.g. increasing air movement with fans.

*See Appendix A in Program for work demand definitions. Note: A majority of board staff will fall in to Humidex 2

HUMIDEX 1- GENERAL CONTROLS INCLUDE HUMIDEX 2- SPECIFIC AND GENERAL CONTROLS

 Providing annual heat stress

training.

 Encouraging adequate fluid

replacement.

 Encouraging employees to

watch out for symptoms in co- workers/students, and adjusting expectations for workers coming back to work after an absence.

 Engineering controls to

reduce physical job demands.

 Shielding of radiant heat

(closing blinds), increased air movement, e.g. the use of fans.

 Adjusting exposure times to

allow sufficient recovery.

 Reducing heat and moisture

emissions at the source.

Chart #2 (Appendix B)

Humidex 1 Moderate unacclimatized Response Humidex 2 Light unacclimatized 25 – 29 Supply water to workers on an "as needed" basis Tip - Remind Staff to take water with them to work area 32 - 35 30 – 33 Post Heat Stress Alert notice Tip - Initiate announcements/emails; encourage workers to drink extra water; start recording hourly temperature and relative humidity 36 - 39 34 – 37 Post Heat Stress Warning notice Tip - Using announcements/emails; notify workers that they need to drink extra water; ensure workers are trained to recognize symptoms 40 - 42 38 – 39 Work with 15 minutes relief per hour can continue; provide adequate cool (10-15°C) water; at least 1 cup (240 ml) of water every 20 minutes. Worker/student with symptoms should seek medical attention 43 - 44 40 – 41 Work with 30 minutes relief per hour can continue in addition to the provisions listed previously 45 - 46* 42 – 44 If feasible, work with 45 minutes relief per hour can continue in addition to the provisions listed above 47 - 49* 45* or over Only medically supervised work can continue 50* or over

A CASE ST SE STUDY/EXAMPLE

Suppose the temperature in the workplace is measured at 33°C and the relative humidity is 50%. The Humidex will be 41 (see Humidex Table Appendix B). The recommended action plan from Chart #2 (previous slide) is as follows:

• Moderate work/unacclimatized= Humidex 1- work with

30 minutes relief per hour

• Light work/unacclimatized = Humidex 2 – Full work, with

warning to be wary of heat stress symptoms and to drink extra water.

HEAT T STR TRESS CONTR TROLS(MODI DIFYING G WORK AND T THE HE ENVIR IRONMENT)

Engineeri ring C Controls

• ls
• Provide cool work and rest areas through air

cooling

• Increase air movement if temperature is less than

35°C (fans) as any higher air temperature would not allow cooling and may dehydrate the body.

• Reduce physical demands of work tasks through

mechanical assistance(hoists, lifts).

Admin inist istrat ative Contro rols

• The employer should increase the frequency

and length of rest breaks

• First Aid responders and an Emergency

Response plan should be in place in case

• f a heat related illness
• Train workers to recognize the symptoms
• f heat stress and provide cool drinking

water

HEA EAT ST STRES ESS CON ONTROLS S (modif ifyi ying work k an and th the e en envir ironmen ent)

Personal Protective Equipment

• While outside, wear light-colored

clothing

• Hats and sunglasses should be

worn if spending time in the sun.

• Vapor barrier clothing, such as a

chemical protective clothing, greatly increases heat stress on the body. Extra caution is necessary.

ADDITIONAL L LINKS KS AND RESOU ESOURCES

The following websites have information on Humidex, Weather Reports and Smog Alerts:

• Environment Canada Weather Office

http://www.weatheroffice.ec.gc.ca/canada_e.html

• Air Quality Ontario Smog Advisories

http://www.airqualityontario.com/

APPENDIX A A

Managi ging g Heat at St Stress f from Pr m Process Heat

• If workers are required to perform

moderate to heavy work during hot weather, the employer will be required to follow ACGIH (American conference of Governmental Hygienists) standards to prevent unacclimatized workers’ core temperatures from rising above 38°C

APPENDIX A CONTINUED WORK DEMANDS & EXAMPLES

Light:

• Sitting with light manual work with hands and driving.
• Standing with some light work and occasional walking.

Moder derate:

• Sustained moderate hand and arm work, arm and leg work or light pushing

and pulling.

• Normal walking.

Heav avy:

• Intense arm and trunk work, carrying, shoveling, manual sawing; pushing

and pulling heavy loads.

• walking at a fast pace.

Ver ery Hea eavy:

• Very intense activity at fast to maximum pace.

APPEND NDIX IX B B

Both temperature and humidity are assessed to determine humidex.

APPEND NDIX IX C C

Peel’s Heat Alert System How it works:

• The Region of Peel may issue an alert or an

extreme alert when the weather suggests a risk to public health.

• This is broadcast via the radio and the Region’s

web page. The alert advisory is updated daily.

• Information during and after business hours

can be found on their website at www.hotweatherinpeel.ca or by calling Peel Public Health at 905-799-7700.

HEAT STRESS POSTERS

HEAT STRESS WHEEL