HEAT STRESS

WI-012 Revision 00 Issue Date:10/Nov/2019

PREPARED BY: REVIEWED & APPROVED BY:

MR GENERAL MANAGER

HEAT STRESS
WORK INSTRUCTION

(WI-012)

Prepared By: Reviewed & Approved By:

MR General Manager

This work instruction is the property of:

GULF GASKET FACTORY
COPYRIGHT
No part of this work instruction may be reproduced in any form by print, photocopy, microfilm or any other
means wholly or in part or disclosed to any person outside Execution Pioneers Contracting Company without
the written permission of the General Manager.

NOV 2019
Page 1 of 5 Issued date: 10/Nov2019 Rev: 00 WI-012
 HEAT STRESS
WI-012 Revision 00 Issue Date:10/Nov/2019

PREPARED BY: REVIEWED & APPROVED BY:

MR GENERAL MANAGER

1. PURPOSE

To insure that all requirements to prevent the bad effect of exposure to heat stress on personnel
health.

2. SCOPE

All employees and subcontractors.

3. DEFINITIONS

Heat: A measure of energy in terms of quantity.

Heat Strain: The net physiological load resulting from heat stress.
Heat Stress: The heat load on the body with contributions from both metabolic heat
production and external environmental factors.
Metabolic heat: A by-product of the body's activity.
Radiation: The transfer of heat energy through space. Hot surfaces and infrared light sources
radiate heat that can increase the body's heat load.

4. RESPONSIBILITY

Division Managers shall be responsible for the effective implementation of this procedure.
Safety Department - Safety department shall provide guidance and advice to the proponent
departments/ line management as requested on heat related issues. Safety department shall be
responsible for the update of this procedure as necessary.
Engineers / Supervisors / Foremen shall ensure that employees working within their area of
control are made aware of any health risks, including those related to heat stress, associated with
climatic conditions and their activities or work place and of the necessary precautions.
Employees - All employees shall be made aware of and shall observe the provisions of this procedure.

5. HEAT DISORDERS AND HEALTH EFFECTS

Heat Stress occurs when the total heat load on the body exceeds the body's capacity to cool
itself. Heat stress or heat strain can result in fatigue, skin rashes, and decreased mental
alertness that can be a contributor to poor judgement and accidents. Extreme cases of
exposures to heat can cause cramps, nausea, headache, fainting and heat stroke.

Effects of overexposure to heat on health

Elevated body temperatures are typically associated with working in a hot climate. The body
accommodates this through a cooling mechanism whereby blood vessels are dilated near the body
surfaces and by sweating. If normal heat balance is not maintained, heat induced illness may result.
The effects of exposure to heat can be classified into:
 Heat Rash
 Heat Cramps
 Heat Exhaustion
 Heat Stroke

Page 2 of 5 Issued date: 10/Nov2019 Rev: 00 WI-012

 HEAT STRESS
WI-012 Revision 00 Issue Date:10/Nov/2019

PREPARED BY: REVIEWED & APPROVED BY:

MR GENERAL MANAGER

5.1 HEAT RASH

Cause
Heat rash, also known as prickly heat, is likely to occur in hot, humid environments where sweat
is not easily removed form the surface of the skin by evaporation and the skin remains wet most
of the time. The sweat ducts become plugged, and a skin rash soon appears. When the rash is
extensive or when it is complicated by infection, prickly heat can be very uncomfortable and may
reduce a worker's performance.

First Aid
When a heat rash has developed, avoid hot environments and sunshine, avoid scratching. Keep skin
dry and clean.

5.2 HEAT CRAMPS

Cause
Heat cramps are painful spasms of the muscle that occur among those who sweat profusely in heat,
drink large quantities of water, but do not adequately replace the body's salt loss. The drinking of
large quantities of water tends to dilute the body's fluids, while the body continues to lose salt.
Shortly thereafter, the salt level in the muscles causes painful cramps. The affected muscles may
be part of the arms, legs, or abdomen: but tired muscles (those used in performing the work) are
usually the one's most susceptible to cramps.

First Aid
Cramps may occur during or after work hours and may be relieved by taking salted liquids by
mouth. Person with heart problems or those on a low sodium diet who work in hot environments
should consult a physician about what to do under these conditions.

Prevention
 Drink sufficient water starting at the beginning of the shift.
 Maintain a proper salt-balanced diet.

5.3 HEAT EXHAUSTION

Cause
Heat exhaustion is caused by the loss of large amounts of fluid by sweating, sometimes with
excessive loss of salt. A worker suffering from heat exhaustion still sweats but experiences
extreme weakness or fatigue, giddiness, nausea, or headache. In more serious cases, the person
may vomit or lose consciousness. The skin is clammy and moist, the complexion is pale or flushed,
and the body temperature is normally only slightly elevated.

First Aid
In most cases, treatment involves having the person rest in a cool place and drinks plenty of
liquids. A person with mild exhaustion usually recovers spontaneously with this treatment.
Those with severe cases may require extended care for several days.

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 HEAT STRESS
WI-012 Revision 00 Issue Date:10/Nov/2019

PREPARED BY: REVIEWED & APPROVED BY:

MR GENERAL MANAGER

Prevention
 Maintain cardiovascular fitness through proper exercise and diet.
 Work in shady areas, if possible, with plenty of ventilation.
 Rest often in cool areas.
 Drink fluids at regular intervals, such as every twenty minutes, start at the beginning of the
work shift.
 The worker can prevent this condition by resting in a cool place part of each day and by
regularly bathing and drying the skin.
 Share the workload with another worker when possible.
 If possible, do the hardest work early in the day when it is cooler.

5.4 HEAT STROKE

Cause
Heat stroke occurs when heat exposure overwhelms the body's mechanism for dissipating
heat Sweating ceases, so the major mechanism for heat loss by the body no longer functions and
the body temperature rises to critical level. There also may be dizziness, nausea, vomiting,
headache, confusion, and a loss of consciousness. Muscle twitching and convulsions may be seen.

First Aid
Any employee with signs or symptoms of heat stroke requires immediate hospitalisation.
However, the first aid should be immediately administered. This includes removing the
person to a cool area, thoroughly soaking the clothing with water, and vigorously fanning the
body to increase cooling. Further treatment, at a medical facility, should be directed to the
continuation of the cooling process and the monitoring of complications that often accompany heat
stroke. Early recognition and treatment of heat stroke are the only means of preventing permanent
brain damage or death.

Prevention
Maintain cardiovascular fitness through proper exercise and diet.
Work in shady areas, if possible, with plenty of ventilation.
Rest often in cool areas.
Drink fluids at regular intervals, such as every twenty minutes, start at the beginning of the work
shift.
Share the workload with another worker when possible.
If possible, do the hardest work early in the day when it is cooler.

6. PREVENTION AND CONTROL

 Ensure an adequate supply of drinking water near the work area.

 Prevent excessive loss of body fluids by drinking generous amount of water.
 Water is the first choice of re-hydration. Drinks containing electrolytes can be used, provided
they are not the sole source of fluid at the work site. Salt tablets are not recommended.
 All employees must be allowed to acclimatize themselves to heat.
 Heavy work should be scheduled during the cooler part of the day.
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 HEAT STRESS
WI-012 Revision 00 Issue Date:10/Nov/2019

PREPARED BY: REVIEWED & APPROVED BY:

MR GENERAL MANAGER

 Modify work / rest schedules according to temperature and workload.

 Job rotation can be considered alternate job function to minimize overstress or overexertion
at one task.
 Provide additional personnel to work teams, if required.
 Ensure personnel understand the recognition and prevention of heat stress. Assure co-
workers observation to detect signs and symptoms of heat strain.
 When practical, have employees to work in shade.
 Ensure provision of good ventilation and shielding from radiant heat sources.
 Appropriate notices on “Heat Stress” will be displayed on project site notice boards during
summer season.

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