Beat the heat at work
Heavy physical work in temperatures that have already soared over 40 degrees Celsius, can lead to serious illness.
WITH employees working up a sweat in Zululand’s sweltering heat, health and safety experts are raising the red flag on heat strokes.
According to the Zululand Health and Safety Forum (ZHSF), heavy physical work in temperatures that have already soared over 40 degrees Celsius, can lead to serious illness.
‘Many jobs in this region require working in hot environments – both outdoors and indoors,’ said ZHSF Chairperson Annelize Jacobs.
‘And working in the heat and doing physical work can affect the body’s cooling system.
‘If the body is unable to cool itself, a worker can experience heat stress – and if this is not recognised and treated in the early stages, more serious, even fatal conditions may quickly develop.’
Safeguard employees
Jacobs said management must ensure employees are trained to avoid heat stress and identify early symptoms both in themselves and co-workers.
‘Workers exposed to particularly hot environments are those employed in pulp and paper manufacturing, industrial laundries, bakeries, smelters, boiler rooms and construction.
‘Signs of the illness range from skin rashes and light-headedness, to convulsions and unconsciousness.
‘Early symptoms of heat stress are excessive fatigue, lethargy, irritability, lack of co-ordination and altered judgment. This can result in serious accidents on site and in stores.
‘Ensure your first aiders are trained up to identify these symptoms as they can rapidly develop into serious conditions.’
She added employers should provide administrative controls, such as work-rest cycles and personal protective equipment.
Combinations of various control methods often provide the most effective protection from heat stress.
