Revision No.

01
Issue Date 30-Jan-2018
Abu Dhabi Future School program Document
ID
AEGC/OSH/SUM/P/KG/005

SUMMER WORK PLAN/SAFETY IN HEAT

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 Revision No. 01
Issue Date 30-Jan-2018
Abu Dhabi Future School program Document
ID
AEGC/OSH/SUM/P/KG/005

SUMMER WORK PLAN/SAFETY

IN HEAT

Employer : Musanada

Consultant: Al Suweidi Engineering Consultant llc

Contractor: AL ESLAH GENRAL CONTRACTING EST

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 Revision No. 01
Issue Date 30-Jan-2018
Abu Dhabi Future School program Document
ID
AEGC/OSH/SUM/P/KG/005

Prepared By Zafeer Arif

Approved By Eng. Ayham Sabouni

Date of Issue 30/01/2018

Revision No. 00

Date of Revision 21/05/2018

Revision No. 01

S/N DESCRIPTION Page No.

1.0 Introduction 3

Objectives 3
2.0

3.0 Definition of Terms 4

Clinical Signs of Extreme Heat

4.0 4

5.0 Hydration Maintenance 5

Lone work and /or in remote locations 10

6.0
Al Eslah Genral Contracting Est Safety in Heat and Working during Ramadan 10
7.0
Campaign
8.0 References and Referred Websites 11

9.0 Attachment 13

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Issue Date 30-Jan-2018
Abu Dhabi Future School program Document
ID
AEGC/OSH/SUM/P/KG/005

1.0 Introduction

Heat is internally generated by the body's own functioning and increases as workload increases.
Environmental heat can add to the body's burden of heat removal and includes air temperature,
air velocity, humidity, and radiant heat. Working in a hot environment can pose special hazards
to the health and safety of employees, including heat-related illness and fatigue. Heat increases
the potential for accidents due to fogged glasses, sweat in the eyes, slippery hands, physical
discomfort, irritability, reduced judgment, or slower physical and mental reaction times.

The summer months in the UAE can bring extreme temperatures and humidity, which can lead
to any heat related cases or even death if not properly manage.

During the month of summer, June to September the works not allowed to commence between
1200hrs to 1500hrs, therefore additional working hours can be recommended by EGCE
management team based on the site conditions and client requirements.

2.0 Objectives
To minimize the negative effects of Summer Heat on the health and safety of workers of the Project,
employees in particular.

3.0 Definition of Terms:

3.1 Heat stress

Sense of discomfort and physiological stress associated with exposure to a hot environment, especially
while performing physical labour.

3.2 Heat stroke

Heatstroke is the progression of two worsening heat-related conditions. When your body overheats, you
first may develop heat cramps. If you don't cool down, you may progress to symptoms of heat exhaustion,
such as heavy sweating, nausea, lightheadedness and feeling faint.
Heatstroke occurs if your body temperature continues to rise. At this point, emergency treatment is
needed. In a period of hours, untreated heatstroke can cause damage to your brain, heart, kidneys and
muscles. These injuries get worse the longer treatment is delayed, increasing your risk of serious
complications or death

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 Revision No. 01
Issue Date 30-Jan-2018
Abu Dhabi Future School program Document
ID
AEGC/OSH/SUM/P/KG/005

3.3 Heat Exhaustion

Moderately severe condition caused by loss of water or salts, due to very hot surroundings or strenuous
physical activity. The signs and symptoms include intense thirst, asthenia (loss of energy), discomfort,
anxiety, dizziness, weakness and cephalalgia (severe headache); the core temperature may be normal,
lower than normal or slightly higher (>37 but < 40ºC).

3.4 Hyperthermia.

Increase in body temperature above the level for hypothalamic regulation when heat-disposal
mechanisms are altered (due to drugs or illness) or overcome by external (from outside temperatures or
induced) or internal (metabolic) heat.

3.5 Multiple Organ Dysfunction Syndromes.

Changes produced in more than one organ after traumatic lesions, septicemia or due to heat stroke.

4.0 Clinical Signs of Extreme Heat.

Even though the signs can vary greatly (tiredness, fainting, burns, swelling, etc.), there are two main
conditions related to extreme heat: heat exhaustion and heat stroke.

4.1 Heat Exhaustion

Is evident when the person feels very tired, dizzy and is sweating profusely, The skin is cool and moist,
the pulse is rapid and breathing is light and rapid. In this case, they should drink cool water, shower, and
stay in air-conditioned areas. If the symptoms do not go away and the person does not recover in thirty
minutes, if there is an alteration in the level of consciousness or if the person already has a medical
condition, urgent medical attention is recommended.

4.2 Heat Stroke

Is a serious clinical condition, because the mechanism that enables sweating begins to fail and the body
can no longer cool itself down. This is evident in very high hyperthermia, normally above 40ºC, alteration
in consciousness (which can vary from an alteration in character to coma) and absence of sweating. The
skin is red, hot and dry. Urgent medical attention is required, since the death of the patient can result if
immediate medical treatment is not applied.

5.0 Hydration Maintenance

The fluid intake required to maintain hydration is determined by the sweat rate which in turn is
determined by the work rate and the conditions. Sweat rates vary considerably and increase with
acclimatization. The following recommendations are for the average acclimatized worker .
5.1 REQUIRED FLUID INTAKE TO MAINTAIN HYDRATION DURING WORK

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 Revision No. 01
Issue Date 30-Jan-2018
Abu Dhabi Future School program Document
ID
AEGC/OSH/SUM/P/KG/005

The table below shows the fluid intake required to replace sweat at different workloads and conditions. 
As a general guide, work in hot weather requires an intake of 2 liters every 2-3 hours .

Key
Extreme thermal stress. Essential maintenance and rescue work only.

Workload exceeds TWL. Work-rest cycling must be applied.

High thermal stress. No worker to work alone.

Moderate thermal stress. No non acclimatized worker to work alone.

Low thermal stress. Unrestricted self-paced work.

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Issue Date 30-Jan-2018
Abu Dhabi Future School program Document
ID
AEGC/OSH/SUM/P/KG/005

* At high workloads and/or high thermal stress, sweat rates exceed 1.2L/hr. Increasing fluid intake much
above this level is not practical due to gastric discomfort as the upper limit for gastric emptying and fluid
absorption is ~ 1.5 L/hr.
In these situations the workload exceeds TWL and even with adequate fluid replacement heat storage
will limit work time as other factors prevent achievement of heat balance.
5.2 CHOICE OF FLUID REPLACEMENT DRINKS
Replacement of the fluid lost in sweat requires intake of adequate quantities of water and salt. Drinking
at mealtimes replaces both and is essential. Remember to encourage workers to:
 Add a little extra salt to their meals during hot weather, salt tablets are not recommended
 Drink water with meals
 Limit consumption of soft drinks as the sugar content is high
 Limit consumption of caffeinated drinks (coffee, tea, cola) and ‘energy drinks’, as the caffeine may
reduce fluid retention
 If workers are sweating heavily between meals, an electrolyte replacement drink is recommended.
Replacing salt as it is lost helps the body absorb and retain the water consumed:
 Sports drinks are high in sugar and often quite acidic which can damage teeth. They are not designed
for prolonged consumption at work.
 For prolonged consumption, a fluid with 4% or less sugar is recommended .
 Appropriate products designed for industrial use are available commercially
 The suggested schedule is to drink the electrolyte replacement fluid at every second drink (i.e. one for
one with water).
 For diabetics or those on sugar-restricted diets, medical advice is required on the preferred fluids for
rehydration.

5.3 Control of Heat Stress for Employers (PREVENTING HEAT RELATED ILLNESS IN THE WORKPLACE)

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).
For workers working in hot environments this includes protecting the worker from heat related illness and
to control heat-related risks. Employers are expected to take appropriate necessary actions, e.g.
establishing occupational health and safety procedures for work in hot environments, instructing and
training workers and supervisors to prevent, recognize and deal with heat related illness and provide
controls, including appropriate amounts of drinking water and electrolyte replacement drinks, appropriate
clothing and personal protective equipment where applicable or necessary .
5.3.1 RECOMMENDATIONS:

1. Establish and enforce management of work-in-heat protocols and occupational health procedures.
2. 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 effects
of clothing First-aid measures for heat-related disorders Preventive measures such as encouraging
hydration (drinking 2 liters of water every 2-3 hours)
3. 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.

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Issue Date 30-Jan-2018
Abu Dhabi Future School program Document
ID
AEGC/OSH/SUM/P/KG/005

4. Provide workers with appropriate clothing and personal protective equipment where applicable including a large
personal water container (of at least 1-2 liters in size).
5. Allow workers to self-pace where applicable and take rests when they can to cool down.
6. 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.
7. 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).
8. Implement Engineering Controls where applicable such as:
9. Insulation of ceilings to minimize solar heat transfer
10. Providing shaded work areas
 Respecting and enforcing the midday break rule set by the Ministry of Labour in summer
 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

5.4 Treatment

5.4.1 RECOMMENDED/REQUIRED MEDICAL ACTION IN CASE OF HEAT-RELATED

DISORDERS AND DISEASES
All workers and supervisors should be familiar with common symptoms of heat illness and the required
action to be taken.

Symptoms Recommended Action

Go to medical center/clinic when convenient
Heat rash

Move to a cool area

Fatigue
Dizziness Drink fluids (Electrolyte drink or water)
Headache Report to medical center if symptoms don’t improve within one hour
Cramps In case of cramps rest and cool down, practice gentle, range-of-motion stretching and
Nausea/Vomiting gentle massage of the affected muscle group and drink electrolyte drink or juices.
Seek medical attention if the cramps don't go away in one hour

Immediate Action / First Aid:

Exhaustion
Inability to concentrate, If fever greater than 39°C, fainting, confusion or seizures occur (heat exhaustion) or
signs and symptoms of heat stroke present call for medical emergency assistance
Lack of coordination,
Disorientation, If possible move/remove person to a cool, shady or air-conditioned area
Confusion, Sit or lie person down, elevate legs slightly if they have fainted
Fast heart rate or breathing Loosen the person's clothing.
Feeling of “burning up” Give sips of cool (not ice cold) water or electrolyte drink when conscious to be drunk
Fainting or collapse slowly
Cool the person down by spraying or sponging cool water on them, place a cold towel
on the head, or direct air to them with a fan or newspaper (if air temperature is <35
°C). Do not throw ice or ice cold (chilled) water on them.

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Issue Date 30-Jan-2018
Abu Dhabi Future School program Document
ID
AEGC/OSH/SUM/P/KG/005

If there is no quick recovery, place them in the “recovery” position and use the ABC
procedure (Airway, Breathing & Circulation)
Monitor the person carefully and wait with them for assistance to arrive

5.4.2 DEHYDRATION AND HEAT ILLNESS PROTOCOL

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Issue Date 30-Jan-2018
Abu Dhabi Future School program Document
ID
AEGC/OSH/SUM/P/KG/005

AL ESLAH GENRAL CONTRACTING EST will use the Training Guide and other Leaflets (Posters) provided by the
Health Authority of Abu Dhabi - OSHAD that is available in their website.

The Emergency Response Team (ERT), composed of representatives from the Employer (Musanada), Consultant
(OTAK) and the Contractor (AL ESLAH GENRAL CONTRACTING EST) will be always on alert.

6.0 Lone work and /or in remote locations

Lone working is not permitted, should be team working with the following recommendations

 Wearing clothes that allow sweat to evaporate.

 Pacing work. It has been found that frequent, short breaks give more benefit than occasional, long breaks
from manual effort.
 Job rotation. In addition to pacing work, if the more arduous tasks can be shared, no one member of the
team is put at additional risk.
 Regular drinking to maintain an adequate hydration level. A potential sweat loss of one liter per hour has to
be replaced, and it is recommended that regular, small drinks are taken rather than fewer, large drinks,
which can cause cramps. An intake of 250 ml every 15 minutes is recommended. Salt should NOT be added
to the water, as this is likely to interfere with the kidneys’ normal physiological control mechanisms. Water
can be made more palatable by the addition of fruit flavorings.
 Avoiding drinks containing caffeine, such as tea, coffee, colas and some ‘during the shift. Caffeine is a
diuretic and encourages fluid loss. Similarly, energy drinks should be taken in moderation, as excessive
consumption can result in a salt, particularly potassium, imbalance.
 Monitoring hydration levels. This can be simply accomplished by observing the color of the urine stream: the
darker the color, the less hydrated the individual. If this is noted, then immediate remedial action in the form
of taking on extra fluids can be initiated. Urine color charts for objective comparison are available and their
use is encouraged.
 Regular food intake. Like water intake, small meals should be taken at regular intervals throughout the shift,
rather than waiting until mid-shift to start eating. Bread, bananas, yoghurts, beans and fruitcake are all
recommended. Meat, cheese or other protein rich foods are not recommended, as these do not encourage
fluid absorption. All food should ideally be kept at or below 10 oC to avoid deterioration.
 On shift surveillance. This should be three tier, i.e. self, team, supervisor. Compliance with recommended
behaviors should be checked and verified. The team must also check that the supervisor is complying, for
example by taking sufficient fluids, and must monitor the supervisor for signs and symptoms of heat illness.

7.0: Al Eslah Genral Contracting Est SAFETY IN HEAT AND WORKING DURING
RAMADAN CAMPAIGN

7.1 Communication:

A Letter will be issued to the employer/ consultant regarding safety in heat and working during Ramadan campaign
detailing the programs or Activities to be run during campaign and also the participation of all parties involved in order

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 Revision No. 01
Issue Date 30-Jan-2018
Abu Dhabi Future School program Document
ID
AEGC/OSH/SUM/P/KG/005

to achieve objectives of the campaign program and make it successful. The campaign lasted for 1 week starting from
May 2018 to June 2018.

7.2 Campaign Programs and activities:

The campaign was based on the following activities, where each activity/training program took 20-30 minutes daily.

8.0 References:

1. UAE Labour Law (Federal Law No. 8 of 1980).

2. AD OSHAD-SF CoP. 11.0 Safety in Heat Version 3.0 July 2016
3. HAAD – Safety in the Heat Program: http://haad.ae/safety-in-heat

8.1 Referred Websites:

http://www.emedicine.com/emerg/topic236.htm
https://www.oshad.ae/safetyinheat/en/index.php
http://haad-safe.ae/index.php
http://www.emedicinehealth.com/articles/6209-2.asp
http://www.healthy.net/asp/templates/article.asp?PageType=article&ID=1291
http://www.allsands.com/Misc2/heatstrokeprev_ubm_gn.htm
http://haad-safe.ae/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=24&Itemid=41
http://haad-safe.ae/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=22&Itemid=2
http://haad-safe.ae/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=26&Itemid=41

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 Revision No. 01
Issue Date 30-Jan-2018
Abu Dhabi Future School program Document
ID
AEGC/OSH/SUM/P/KG/005

Attachment

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