Government of Western Australia Department of Mines and Petroleum Government of Western Australia Department of Mines and Petroleum Please read this before using presentation • This presentation is based on content presented at the Exploration Safety Roadshow held in August 2009 • It is made available for non-commercial use (e.g. toolbox meetings) subject to the condition that the PowerPoint file is not altered without permission from Resources Safety • Supporting resources, such as brochures and posters, are available from Resources Safety • For resources, information or clarification, please contact: [email protected]or visit www.dmp.wa.gov.au/ResourcesSafety 1
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Government of Western Australia Department of Mines and PetroleumGovernment of Western Australia Department of Mines and Petroleum
Please read this before using presentation
• This presentation is based on content presented at the Exploration Safety Roadshow held in August 2009
• It is made available for non-commercial use (e.g. toolbox meetings) subject to the condition that the PowerPoint file is not altered without permission from Resources Safety
• Supporting resources, such as brochures and posters, are available from Resources Safety
• For resources, information or clarification, please contact:[email protected]
or visitwww.dmp.wa.gov.au/ResourcesSafety
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Government of Western Australia Department of Mines and PetroleumGovernment of Western Australia Department of Mines and Petroleum
Toolbox presentation:
Heat Stress
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Government of Western Australia Department of Mines and PetroleumGovernment of Western Australia Department of Mines and Petroleum
Outline• Thermoregulation• Heat gain, storage and loss• Heat strain and related illnesses• Risk factors for heat strain• Risk assessment and control
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Government of Western Australia Department of Mines and PetroleumGovernment of Western Australia Department of Mines and Petroleum
Normal body temperature
Optimal conditions for cellular reactions in the human body include a core body temperature of approximately 37°C
Thermoregulation
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Government of Western Australia Department of Mines and PetroleumGovernment of Western Australia Department of Mines and Petroleum
Thermoregulation
• Heat sensors in the skin and body – transmit “information” to hypothalamus in the brain, which directs an increase in heart rate, vasodilatation and sweating
• Sweat loss may be as high as 1.5 litres per hour
• Evaporation of one litre of sweat can be equivalent of 670 watts of energy – highly effective
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Government of Western Australia Department of Mines and PetroleumGovernment of Western Australia Department of Mines and Petroleum
Heat gain, storage and loss
Heat inputs• Heat production – from metabolic activity or work intensity
• Heat storage – due to insulation of the “inner core”
• Heat gain – from external heat sources (radiation and convection)
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Government of Western Australia Department of Mines and PetroleumGovernment of Western Australia Department of Mines and Petroleum
Heat gain, storage and loss
Physics of heat transfer• Conduction – transfer of heat between two materials from high to
low heat energy areas• Convection – bulk transfer of heated matter from warm low
density regions via a moving fluid (gas or liquid) to cooler more dense areas
• Radiation – process of heat transfer over distance between surfaces (particularly at the infrared wavelength)
• Evaporation – warmer molecules gain sufficient energy to leave the liquid surface and enter the gaseous phase. Remaining molecules have less average kinetic energy, resulting in decrease in temperature of liquid
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Government of Western Australia Department of Mines and PetroleumGovernment of Western Australia Department of Mines and Petroleum
Heat gain, storage and loss
Thermal balanceBody must balance the heat transferred into the body, heat
generated in the body and heat dissipated to the environment
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Government of Western Australia Department of Mines and PetroleumGovernment of Western Australia Department of Mines and Petroleum
Heat strain and heat related illness
Heat stress and heat strain• Heat stress – sum of environmental influences (air temperature,
radiant heat, humidity, air velocity) that, when coupled with metabolic heat generation and effects of clothing, may result in heat strain
• Heat strain – physiological response to heat stress on the body
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Government of Western Australia Department of Mines and PetroleumGovernment of Western Australia Department of Mines and Petroleum
Heat strain and heat related illness
Heat illness• Heat oedema – mild form of heat illness resulting in pooling of
fluid in legs brought about by transient peripheral vasodilation• Heat rash – skin that has been persistently wetted by sweat may
develop a rash characterised by raised lumps that may be intensely itchy. Bumps caused by blocked sweat glands, which subsequently burst, causing a stinging sensation
• Heat fatigue – additional blood is diverted to skin as result of peripheral vasodilatation, reducing output to the brain and internal organs, and resulting in fatigue and reduction in strength
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Government of Western Australia Department of Mines and PetroleumGovernment of Western Australia Department of Mines and Petroleum
Heat strain and heat related illness
Heat illness (continued)
• Heat cramps – painful involuntary muscle spasms resulting from electrolyte dilution arising from hard work in hot environments, heavy sweating and excessive water intake
• Heat syncope – dizziness or fainting brought about by lowered blood pressure arising from vasodilatation and pooling of body fluids into legs and resultant lack of blood flow to brain
• Heat exhaustion – mild form of shock with symptoms including extreme weakness or fatigue, uncoordinated action giddiness, nausea, headache and a weak rapid pulse
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Government of Western Australia Department of Mines and PetroleumGovernment of Western Australia Department of Mines and Petroleum
Heat strain and heat related illness
Heat illness (continued)• Heat stroke – body’s thermoregulatory system has failed to
prevent core body temperatures rising to critical levels above 40°CSymptoms include: – lack of sweating and hot dry skin– confusion– irrational behavior– loss of consciousness– convulsions
Heat stroke may result in permanent damage to the brain and other vital organs; death may occur
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Government of Western Australia Department of Mines and PetroleumGovernment of Western Australia Department of Mines and Petroleum
Heat strain and heat related illness
Factors leading to heat strain• Increase in core body temperature
• Lack of acclimatisation
• Lack of fitness and/or the presence of medical conditions
• Type and amount of clothing
• Dehydration
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Government of Western Australia Department of Mines and PetroleumGovernment of Western Australia Department of Mines and Petroleum
Heat strain and heat related illness
Acclimatisation• Reduction in heat rate
• Reduction in core body temperature
• Increase in sweat rate
• Decrease in the electrolyte content of sweat
• Increase in blood plasma volume
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Government of Western Australia Department of Mines and PetroleumGovernment of Western Australia Department of Mines and Petroleum
Risk factors for heat strain
Environmental risk factors• High temperature and/or humidity
• Reduced air movement
• Working near radiant heat sources
• Contact with conductive heat sources
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Government of Western Australia Department of Mines and PetroleumGovernment of Western Australia Department of Mines and Petroleum
Risk factors for heat strain
Individual risk factors• Age (especially greater than 60 years old)• Low level of physical fitness • Medical conditions (diabetes, cardiovascular disease) • Some medications • Drug and alcohol use• Lack of acclimatisation• Dehydration
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Government of Western Australia Department of Mines and PetroleumGovernment of Western Australia Department of Mines and Petroleum
Risk factors for heat strain
Workplace risk factors• High frequency, duration or intensity of physical activity• Requirement for use of personal protective equipment and
clothing (may increase humidity levels and prevent air flow across the skin)
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Government of Western Australia Department of Mines and PetroleumGovernment of Western Australia Department of Mines and Petroleum
Risk factors for heat strain
Indices of heat strain• Wet Bulb Globe Temperature
Index
• Thermal Work Limit
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Government of Western Australia Department of Mines and PetroleumGovernment of Western Australia Department of Mines and Petroleum
Risk assessment and control
Heat stress guidance Australian Institute of Occupational Hygienists
Heat stress standard & documentation for use in the Australian environment
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Government of Western Australia Department of Mines and PetroleumGovernment of Western Australia Department of Mines and Petroleum
Risk assessment and control
Risk assessmentHeat stress risk assessments should consider:• individual characteristics• nature of the work• environmental conditions under which work is to be carried out
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Government of Western Australia Department of Mines and PetroleumGovernment of Western Australia Department of Mines and Petroleum
Risk assessment and control
Heat stress controls• Managing the risk of heat stress should consider the
hierarchy of controls (elimination, substitution, engineering, administration, personal protective clothing and equipment)
• Controls can be directed toward:– work environment– the task being carried out – individuals themselves
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Government of Western Australia Department of Mines and PetroleumGovernment of Western Australia Department of Mines and Petroleum
Government of Western Australia Department of Mines and PetroleumGovernment of Western Australia Department of Mines and Petroleum
Risk assessment and control
Administrative controls• Training and education
• Employment assessment and monitoring
• Setting patterns of work
• Acclimatisation schedules
• Encouraging self pacing of work
• Maintenance of hydration
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Government of Western Australia Department of Mines and PetroleumGovernment of Western Australia Department of Mines and Petroleum
Risk assessment and control
Training• Ensure workers are fully aware of the underlying
mechanisms that allow heat strain to occur• Recognize the symptoms of heat illness• Understand and implement the correct responses to heat
stress conditions (including emergency first aid)
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Government of Western Australia Department of Mines and PetroleumGovernment of Western Australia Department of Mines and Petroleum
Risk assessment and control
Assessment and monitoring
• Medical surveillance may be required — determination of general fitness, presence of medical conditions and use of medications that may predispose employee to heat strain
• Persons at risk of heat stress can be monitored at workplace for signs of heat illness and to ensure work-rest and hydration regimes are followed
• Monitoring may also include assessment of:– recovery heart rate times– oral temperatures– end-of-shift weight loss (to determine level of dehydration)
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Government of Western Australia Department of Mines and PetroleumGovernment of Western Australia Department of Mines and Petroleum
Risk assessment and control
Work patterns• Shifts can be adjusted so that physical work occurs in
cooler periods of the day • Self pacing• Regular breaks and work-rest schedules• Provision of cool rest or recovery areas• Provision of relief workers
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Government of Western Australia Department of Mines and PetroleumGovernment of Western Australia Department of Mines and Petroleum
Risk assessment and control
Acclimatisation schedule• Un-acclimatised: 50% exposure on day 1, increasing
by 10% per day (i.e. full work regime by day 6)• Acclimatised but returning to work after more than 9
days off: 80% exposure on day 1; 90% on day 2 then full return to work
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Government of Western Australia Department of Mines and PetroleumGovernment of Western Australia Department of Mines and Petroleum
Risk assessment and control
Hydration• Goal is to restrict fluid loss to < 3%• Absorption rate through digestive tract about 1 litre/hour
(can lose up 1.5 litre/hour)• Encourage drinking cool fluids 250 ml every 15 minutes• Electrolyte replacement (especially non-acclimatised
workers)• Avoid caffeine, alcohol, milk, carbonated drinks, fruit juices
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Urine chart
Government of Western Australia Department of Mines and PetroleumGovernment of Western Australia Department of Mines and Petroleum
Risk assessment and control
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• PPE – cool vests
Government of Western Australia Department of Mines and PetroleumGovernment of Western Australia Department of Mines and Petroleum
Review
• Thermoregulation• Heat gain, storage and loss• Heat strain and related illnesses• Risk factors for heat strain• Risk assessment and control
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Government of Western Australia Department of Mines and PetroleumGovernment of Western Australia Department of Mines and Petroleum
Major points to consider
• Environment – temperature, humidity, wind speed
• Task – physical requirements, pace of work, clothing
• Acclimatisation – new to site or return to site
• Hydration – availability
• Individual – training, self regulation, buddy systems