Did You Know You Could Die From a Heat-Related Illness?

Did You Know You Could Die From a Heat-Related Illness?

5 Ways to Recognise a Heat-Related Illness

In all heat-related illnesses, the symptoms appear when a person is exposed to extreme temperatures. The following checklist can help you recognise the symptoms of heat-related illnesses:

  1. Heat Rash: Heat rash looks like a red cluster of pimples or small blisters.
  2. Heat cramps: Symptoms are painful muscle spasms in the arms, legs, or abdomen
  3. Heat syncope (fainting): Symptoms of heat syncope or fainting are
  4. Heat exhaustion is a warning that the body is getting too hot.
  5. Heat stroke is a serious, life-threatening condition that occurs when the body loses its ability to control its temperature.

Heat-related illness facts

  • Hyperthermia is overheating of the body.
  • Heat-related illness occurs as a result of heat exposure.
  • Heat-related illnesses include
  • Heat stroke is the most severe form of heat-related illness, and requires immediate medical attention.
  • Certain individuals, such as the elderly, infants and young children, the obese, outdoor workers, and those with chronic medical conditions are at increased risk for developing heat-related illness.
  • Signs and symptoms of heat-related illness vary based on the condition, but may include
  • Treatment for heat-related illness generally includes moving the individual out of the hot environment, implementing cooling measures as needed, rest, and rehydration.
  • Prevention of heat-related illness is best accomplished through proper planning and preparation, such as increasing fluid intake, wearing appropriate clothing and sunscreen, remaining in a cool environment, acclimating yourself to the hot environment, and using common sense.

What is a heat-related illness?

A heat-related illness is a medical condition that may occur as a result of heat exposure. Even short periods of high temperatures can cause serious health problems. Heat-related illness encompasses a spectrum of conditions that range from minor illnesses to life-threatening medical emergencies. There are several heat-related illnesses, including heat stroke, heat exhaustion, heat cramps, heat syncope (fainting), and heat rash.

Whilst there s no maximum working temperature, it is clear that your employer has to make sure your working environments temperature is reasonable, and if you operate vehicles or machinery that a full risk assessment has been carried out to reduce the risks of the above medical conditions arising. 

Example:

1) Older buses didn’t have air conditioning, however they were generally fitted with small fans and windows which opened quite wide to reduce the temperature.

2) New buses have Air Conditioning, no fan and windows with restricted openings.

3) If the Air Conditioning breaks in the new bus, your working environment temperature will very quickly become unreasonable, you will start to have the effects as mentioned above, and this becomes a Health and Safety Issue.

Please report ALL instances of vehicles with no Air Conditioning to your employer and copy in the Workers of England Union via admin@workersofengland.co.uk

Regards

Stephen Morris

General Secretary.