DUFFER FERIN-PE PEEL CATHOLIC LIC D DISTR TRIC ICT S T SCHOOL B L BOARD. HEAT STRESS/HOT WEATHER PROGRAM
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 • of 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 or 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 Red bumpy rash with severe Wash regularly to keep skin environment; plugged itching clean and dry. sweat glands Sunburn Too much exposure to Red painful or blistering and Work in the shade; cover skin the sun. peeling skin with clothing; wear suntan lotions with sun protection factor of at least 15. People with fair skin should be especially cautious. Heat Heavy sweating Painful cramps in arms, legs or When working in the heat, Cramps drains a person’s stomach. Can occur suddenly at workers should put salt on their body of salt, which work or later at home. Cramps food (if on a low salt diet, this cannot be replaced are serious because they can should be discussed with a just by drinking water. be a warning of other more doctor.) This will give the body all dangerous heat-induced the salt it needs; do not take salt illnesses. tablets.
CHART #1 CONTINUED Caus Ca use Symp mptoms ms Prevention Fainting Not enough blood Sudden fainting after at least two Reduce activity levels and/or flowing to the head, hours of work; cool moist skin; heat exposure. Drink fluids causing loss of weak pulse. regularly. Workers should consciousness. check on each other to help spot the symptoms that often precede heat stroke. Heat Inadequate salt and Heavy sweating; cool moist skin; Reduce activity levels and/or body temperature over 38 o C; Exhaustion water intake causes heat exposure. Drink fluids the body’s cooling weak pulse; normal or low blood regularly. Workers should system to star break pressure; person is tired, weak, check on each other to help down/ clumsy, upset or confused; is very spot the symptoms that often thirsty; or is panting or breathing precede heat stroke. rapidly; vision is blurred. High body temperature (41 o C) Heat Stroke If a person’s body Reduce activity levels and/or has used up all its and any one of the following; heat exposure, Drink fluids water and salt, it will person is weak, confused, upset regularly. Workers should stop sweating. This or acting strangely; has hot, dry, check on each other to help can cause body red skin; a fast pulse; a headache spot the symptoms that often temperature to rise. or dizziness. In later stages, a precede heat stroke. person may pass out and have convulsions.
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.
HEAT RESPONSE PLAN 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.
Responses to hot conditions based on Humidex Key Humidex levels to watch out for • occur 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; or, There is a Peel Health Heat Alert. •
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 HUMIDEX 2- SPECIFIC AND CONTROLS INCLUDE GENERAL CONTROLS Providing annual heat stress Engineering controls to training. reduce physical job demands. Encouraging adequate fluid Shielding of radiant heat replacement. (closing blinds), increased air movement, e.g. the use of Encouraging employees to fans. watch out for symptoms in co- workers/students, and Adjusting exposure times to adjusting expectations for allow sufficient recovery. workers coming back to work Reducing heat and moisture after an absence. emissions at the source.
Chart #2 (Appendix B) Humidex 1 Humidex 2 Moderate Response Light unacclimatized unacclimatized Supply water to workers on an "as needed" basis 25 – 29 32 - 35 Tip - Remind Staff to take water with them to work area Post Heat Stress Alert notice 30 – 33 Tip - Initiate announcements/emails; encourage workers to drink extra water; start recording hourly temperature and 36 - 39 relative humidity Post Heat Stress Warning notice 34 – 37 40 - 42 Tip - Using announcements/emails; notify workers that they need to drink extra water; ensure workers are trained to recognize symptoms Work with 15 minutes relief per hour can continue; provide adequate cool (10-15°C) water; at least 1 cup (240 ml) of 38 – 39 43 - 44 water every 20 minutes. Worker/student with symptoms should seek medical attention 40 – 41 Work with 30 minutes relief per hour can continue in addition to the provisions listed previously 45 - 46* If feasible, work with 45 minutes relief per hour can continue in addition to the provisions listed above 42 – 44 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.
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