Humidex-based

HEAT STRESS PREVENTION GUIDE

C O N STR U CTI O N
SAFETY
Special
A S S O C I AT I O N O F
O N TA R I O
pullout!

Heat stress is the challenge

your body faces due to hot
conditions. If your body’s
cooling mechanisms are
overwhelmed, you can suffer
heat-related illnesses such as
heat cramps, heat exhaustion,
or heat stroke.

In Ontario, there is no law describing how to

prevent heat-stress illnesses. According to the
Occupational Health and Safety Act, however,
employers must “take every precaution
reasonable in the circumstances for the
protection of a worker”.

The ideal heat stress prevention plan would allow workers to regulate their
own pace of work, rest breaks, and fluid intake by “listening to their bodies”.
If this approach is not practical, use this humidex-based prevention guide
which is based on one developed by the Occupational Health and Safety
Council of Ontario.

Summer 2008 www.csao.org / 1-800-781-2726 CONSTRUCTION SAFETY ASSOCIATION OF ONTARIO 1

 HUMIDEX-BASED HEAT STR
TRESS PREVENTION GUIDE
DETERMINE THE HUMIDEX VALUE
5 Steps [ This is only a guide. Never ignore a person’s signs and symptoms. ]
DIRECTIONS: s Find the row with the
temperature, at left.
s Find the column with the
humidity, at the top.
s Find the humidex value where
the column and the row meet.
1. Train workers and prepare to measure 4. Adjust for clothing and radiant heat Relative Humidity ( i n % )
Temp  in ª # 100% 95% 90% 85% 80% 75% 70% 65% 60% 55% 50% 45% 40% 35% 30% 25% 20% 15% 10%
s Train your workers to recognize the early signs and Clothing 49 50
48 49
symptoms of heat stress, and know how to
The main way the body cools itself is by evaporating 47 50 47
prevent heat-related illnesses. See page 9 of this 46 49 46
sweat. The best clothing for hot weather allows sweat to 45 50 47 45
magazine, and go to www.csao.org for free resources.
evaporate. This humidex plan assumes that workers are 44 49 46 43
43 49 47 45 42
s For indoor conditions, this guide requires that you wearing light summer clothes (light shirt and pants, 50
42 48 46 43 41
measure the temperature and humidity directly. Do not underwear, socks, and workboots). If workers are 41 48 46 44 42 40
wearing heavier clothes, make the following adjustments 40 49 47 39
rely on weather reports from the media. To take the 45 43 41
39 49 47 45 43 41 39 37
measurements, you will need one or more thermal to your humidex value: 38 49 47 45 43 42 40 38 36
hygrometers ($20 to $60 at hardware or office- 37 49 47 45 44 42 40 38 37 35
s Cotton overalls on top of summer clothes: +5 36 50 49 47 45 44 42 40 39 37 35 34
supply stores). 35 50 48 47 45 43 42 40 36 34 33
39 37
s For other clothing, estimate the adjustment by 34 49 48 46 45 43 42 40 39 37 36 34 33 31
s For outdoor conditions, using a thermal hygrometer 33 50 48 47 46 44 43 41 40 39 37 36 34 33 32 30
comparing evaporation resistance with cotton overalls.
will give you the most accurate measurements. 32 50 49 48 46 45 44 42 41 40 38 37 36 34 33 32 30 29
(e.g., hard hat, gloves, apron, and protective sleeves 31 50 49 48 47 45 44 43 42 40 39 38 37 35 34 33 32 30 29 28
As an alternative, weather reports from the local 30 48 47 46 44 43 42 41 40 39 37 29 28 27
might require a +1 or +2 adjustment.) 36 35 34 33 31 30
media can provide a rough estimate of the 29 46 45 43 42 41 40 39 38 37 36 35 33 32 31 30 29 28 27 26
28 43 42 41 40 39 38 37 36 35 34 33 32 31 30 29 28 27 26 25
temperature and humidity. s If clothes do not allow sweat to evaporate (e.g., 27 41 40 39 38 37 36 35 34 33 32 31 30 29 28 27 26 25
encapsulated suits) manage the worker’s heat stress 26 39 38 37 36 35 34 33 33 32 31 30 29 28 27 26 25
2. Measure the temperature and humidity by monitoring vital signs (see the latest edition of 25 37 36 35 34 33 33 32 31 30 29 28 27 26 26 25
24 35 34 33 33 32 31 30 29 28 28 27 26 25
TLVs® and BEIs®, by the American Conference of 23 33 32 31 31 30 29 28 28 27 26 25
s Divide the workplace into heat-stress zones (areas
Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH)). 22 31 30 30 29 28 27 27 26 25 25
with different heat conditions). 21 29 29 28 27 26 26 25

Radiant heat
s Put a thermal hygrometer in a representative location

SPECIFIC
Final, adjusted Final adjusted
in each zone. s For outdoor work in direct sunlight between 10 am humidex value for humidex value for
and 4 pm: +2 to +3 (adjust according to cloud cover). s LIGHT WORK s MODERATE WORK
s If you’ll measure only one area, choose the one that

CONTROLS
unacclimatized unacclimatized
presents the greatest risk of heat stress. OR OR
s For indoor radiant heat sources (such as working s MODERATE WORK s HEAVY WORK
around boilers), add +12 to +3 depending on the acclimatized acclimatized
s Record measurements at least hourly if the humidex
source’s temperature and the workers’ distance from it. 32-35 3UPPLY WATER TO WORKERS AS NEEDED 25-29
value (see below) is above 30 or if the temperature
0OST HEAT STRESS ALERT NOTICE
is above 26º C. 36-39 %NCOURAGE WORKERS TO DRINK EXTRA WATER 30-33
5. Determine your workplace response 2ECORD TEMPERATURE AND HUMIDITY EVERY HOUR
0OST HEAT STRESS WARNING NOTICE
3. Look up the humidex value s Go to page 4 of this guide to determine the 40-42 .OTIFY WORKERS THAT THEY NEED TO DRINK EXTRA WATER 34-37
appropriate workplace response for your final, %NSURE WORKERS ARE TRAINED TO RECOGNIZE HEAT STRESS SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS
s Read the temperature and humidity from each thermal 0ROVIDE  MINUTES OF RELIEF PER HOUR
adjusted humidex value.
hygrometer. 43-44
0ROVIDE ADEQUATE COOL WATER  ª# 
38-39
7ORKERS SHOULD DRINK AT LEAST  CUP  M, OF WATER EVERY  MINUTES
s Your workplace response should include both 7ORKERS WITH HEAT STRESS SIGNS OR SYMPTOMS SHOULD SEEK MEDICAL ATTENTION
s Use the table on page 3 of this booklet to determine
general controls (such as the ones listed on page 4) 45-46* 0ROVIDE  MINUTES OF RELIEF PER HOUR AS WELL AS THE RESPONSES LISTED ABOVE 40-41
the corresponding humidex value.
and the “specific controls” listed in the chart on 47-49* 0ROVIDE  MINUTES OF RELIEF PER HOUR AS WELL AS THE RESPONSES LISTED ABOVE 42-44
s You must evaluate whether to adjust for clothing page 3.
50* or over* /NLY MEDICALLY SUPERVISED WORK CAN CONTINUE 45* or over*
and radiant heat.
s Never ignore a person’s signs and symptoms &OR HUMIDEX VALUES OVER  OR FOR HEAVY UNACCLIMATIZED WORK HEAT STRESS SHOULD BE MANAGED ACCORDING TO THE METHOD
AND EXPOSURE LIMITS DESCRIBED BY THE !MERICAN #ONFERENCE OF 'OVERNMENTAL )NDUSTRIAL (YGIENISTS !#')(  &OR FURTHER
regardless of this guide’s suggestions. INFORMATION SEE THE CHAPTER ON h(EAT 3TRESSv IN #3!/S Construction Health and Safety Manual AVAILABLE FOR FREE DOWNLOAD
ON WWWCSAOORG 

2 CONSTRUCTION SAFETY ASSOCIATION OF ONTARIO www.csao.org / 1-800-781-2726 Summer 2008 Summer 2008 www.csao.org / 1-800-781-2726 CONSTRUCTION SAFETY ASSOCIATION OF ONTARIO 3
 DETERMINING YOUR WORKPLACE
RESPONSE
Now that you have a final, adjusted humidex value, you need to follow four more steps.
4 More Steps
1. Determine the difficulty of the work
s Light work: Sitting with light manual work with hands
or hands and arms; driving; standing with some light
arm work and occasional walking.
s Moderate work: Sustained moderate hand and arm
work; moderate arm and leg work or arm and
trunk work; light pushing and pulling; normal walking.
s Heavy work: Intense arm and trunk work; carrying;
shoveling; manual sawing; pushing and pulling heavy
loads; walking at a fast pace.
– From the American Conference of Governmental
Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH), TLVs® and BEIs®,
2008 edition.
2. Determine whether workers are
acclimatized
s A person becomes “acclimatized” when the body adjusts
its functioning to accommodate long-term exposure
to heat.
s According to the Ministry of Labour, “hot spells in
Ontario seldom last long enough for workers to
acclimatize”. You should not consider workers
performing “moderate work” to be acclimatized unless
they regularly work around heat sources (e.g., in
foundries or around ovens). Workers performing “heavy
work”, however, could probably be considered
acclimatized once we are well into the heat of summer.
s Expect workers to have more difficulty adjusting to the
heat after they have been absent for a while.
4 CONSTRUCTION SAFETY ASSOCIATION OF ONTARIO
3. Determine workplace-specific controls
using the chart at the bottom of
page 3 of this guide.
s Choose a column on the chart based on the difficulty of
the work and whether the workers are acclimatized.*
4. Determine the general controls appropriate
to your situation from the list below.
s Use engineering controls to reduce physical job
demands.
s Encourage workers to drink water.
s Increase air movement.
s Reduce heat and moisture emissions at the source,
if possible.
s Shield workers from radiant heat.
s Adjust worker exposure times to allow for sufficient
recovery.
s Provide personal protective equipment that cools
the body.
s Allow workers to limit their exposure to the heat.
s Encourage workers to look for signs of heat stress
in fellow workers.
s Provide annual heat-stress training.
* For heavy unacclimatized work, heat stress should be managed according
to the method and exposure limits described by the American Conference
of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH). For further information,
see the chapter on “Heat Stress” in CSAO’s Construction Health and
Safety Manual (available for free download on www.csao.org).
For more information, go to
www.csao.org
or call 1-800-781-2726
C O N S T R U CT I O N
SAFETY
A S S O C I AT I O N O F
O N TA R I O
www.csao.org / 1-800-781-2726 Summer 2008
 FIRST AID FOR HEAT ILLNESS
ILLNESS SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS
Heat rash Red, bumpy rash with severe itching.
Fainting Sudden fainting after at least two hours of
work. Cool, moist skin. Weak pulse.

Heat Painful, involuntary muscle spasms that
cramps usually occur during heavy exercise in
the heat. They may be more intense and
prolonged than typical night-time leg cramps.
Muscles most often affected are in the calves,
arms, abdomen, and back—but any muscles
involved in the activity can get the cramps.
Heat Often begins suddenly, sometimes after
exhaustion excessive activity, sweating, and inadequate
fluid intake. Signs and symptoms resemble
those for shock and include: an ashen
appearance; low blood pressure; a rapid
heartbeat; hot, red, dry, or sweaty skin; low-
grade fever (generally less than 40º C); feeling
faint; nausea.
Heat The main sign of heat stroke is elevated body
stroke temperature—generally greater than 40º C
—with hot, dry skin and changes in mental
functioning (which can include irrational
behaviour, confusion, or unconsciousness).
Other signs can include rapid heartbeat; rapid
and shallow breathing; elevated or lowered
blood pressure; no sweating; irritability;
confusion or unconsciousness. Fainting may
be the first sign in older adults.
COOLING TECHNIQUE: Research on firefighters has shown that immersing a person’s forearms in cool water for
20 minutes was an effective method for lowering body temperature, along with drinking fluids and resting.
Sources: Information on heat rash and fainting is adapted from the Ontario Ministry of Labour’s guideline Heat Stress. The information on heat
cramps, heat exhaustion, and heat stroke are copyright by the Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research. www.mayoclinic.com.
Summer 2008 www.csao.org
FIRST AID
Change into dry clothes and avoid hot
environments. Rinse skin with cool water. Wash
regularly to keep skin clean and dry.
GET MEDICAL ATTENTION. Assess the person’s
need for cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR).
Move the person to a cool area. Loosen clothing.
Have the person lie down, and if conscious, offer
sips of cool water. Fainting may be due to another
illness.
Inadequate fluid intake often contributes to heat
cramps.
The person should rest, cool down, and drink an
electrolyte-containing sports beverage (such as
Gatorade). The person should gently stretch the
muscles throughout their range of motion, as well as
massage the muscles.
Get the person out of the sun and into a shady or
air-conditioned location. Have the person lay down,
and elevate the feet slightly. Loosen or remove
the person’s clothing. Give the person cold water
(not iced) or a sports drink containing electrolytes
(such as Gatorade). Cool the person by spraying
with cool water and fanning. Monitor the person’s
condition—heat exhaustion can quickly turn into
heat stroke. If fever (especially greater than 40º C),
fainting, confusion, or a seizure occurs, get
emergency medical assistance.
GET EMERGENCY MEDICAL ASSISTANCE. Heat
stroke is a medical emergency. Move the person
out of the sun and into a shady or air-conditioned
location. Cool the person by covering with damp
sheets or by spraying with cool water. Blow air onto
the person using a fan.
CONSTRUCTION SAFETY MAGAZINE 9