Beat The Heat - Summer Safety

This article will discuss the importance of hydration at work aiming to create awareness around the different types of heat related illnesses including heat cramps, heat exhaustion and heat-stroke.

According to Natural Hydration Council staying hydrated at work is associated with better mental performance and cognition as well as preventing tiredness and fatigue. 

Remaining hydrated at work is vital for those working in hot environments or individuals conducting hard manual work. These can significantly affect a person’s hydration level. Making sure you regularly drink water is important and can prevent heat exhaustion and stroke. This is becoming more relevant than ever, as research emphasizes the warming world. New Zealand continues to face extreme heat where the hottest days of the year have warmed by more than 0.5 °C over the last 20 years. 

Working in heat 

Workers exposed to extreme heat or working in hot environments may be in danger of heat related stress. Physically demanding tasks can make the effects of heat even more severe. It is important that your body isn’t working too hard to keep cool. This is dangerous and can create heat-related illnesses. An important step in protecting yourself in the heat is understanding the different types of heat-related illnesses. 

Heat cramps

This occurs through the loss of large amounts of water and electrolytes. This can stem from fatigued muscles or working in a hot environment. Heat cramps are brief muscle cramps that can be very painful. Muscle spasms that occur can include any muscle exercised but typically occur in the abdomen, arms, and calves. 

Treatment:

  • Drink plenty of fluid and electrolyte replacement solution like THORTZ. Other electrolyte drinks include Powerade, Gatorade, Accelerade or PureSport.  
  • Rest, cool down and don’t return to physical activity 
  • Seek medical care if cramps don’t go away within the hour 

THORTZ: HYDRATION CONCENTRATES - Paramount Safety Products

COOLING PRODUCTS: COOLING APPAREL - Paramount Safety Products

Heat exhaustion

Heat exhaustion is more threatening than heat cramps and is your body responding to an excessive loss of water and salt. Symptoms are not limited to but can include heavy sweating and a rapid pulse. Your body is trying to tell you to get out of the sun. 

Treatment:

  • Drink plenty of fluid and electrolyte replacement solution. 
  • Rest in a cool place. The best place is a building with air conditioning or a spot in the shade
  • Remove all unnecessary clothing
  • Cool your skin down with a cold sponge / towel

Heat Stroke

Heat stroke is the most severe heat-related illness and is a life-threatening emergency in which you should seek immediate medical care When your exposed to excessive heat, your body has heat regulating mechanisms. During a heat stroke, these become over-whelmed. Once your body temperature rises over 40 degrees through exposure to excessive heat, you will have a heat stroke.

Treatment: 

If you suspect heat stroke, call 111 immediately or your local medical centre. Following this, move the person out of the heat immediately.

Using whatever is available you should:

  • Put the person in a cool tub or shower
  • Use a fan to direct gentle airflow to the body
  • Spray the person with a hose
  • Sponge the person with cool water
  • Monitor temperature and continue cooling efforts 

Overall, if you don’t take preventative measures or remain hydrated at work this can result in serious consequences. There are benefits associated with hydration such as better mental performance and combating tiredness and fatigue. This article only highlights the main heat-related illnesses but is a steppingstone towards beating the heat.

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Disclosure: This article provides guidelines around keeping safe from heat-related illnesses. Please seek medical advice or further information from the following websites:

Working in Summer (sitesafe.org.nz)

Working safely in extreme temperatures | WorkSafe