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Systematic Management of Heat Stress
The document discusses the systematic management of heat stress, outlining various challenges and mitigation strategies for workers exposed to high temperatures. It emphasizes the importance of risk profiling, monitoring, and daily assessments to adapt to changing weather factors and mitigate heat-related illnesses. Recommendations include engineering controls, training, hydration strategies, and communication protocols to ensure worker safety in hot environments.
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Systematic Management of Heat Stress
- 1. Systematic Management of Heat Stress Presentedby Christine Killip Managing Director Katestone
- 2. Which is worsefor heat stress? Condition B 29°C Temp 75% RH 0.2 m/s Wind Based on TWL Condition A 44°C Temp 25% RH 5 m/s Wind
- 3. How hot istoo hot? • In 1947 E. Schickele plotted 157 heatstroke deaths in military training camps against temperature and humidity • Identified the ‘heat death line’ • Air temperatures ranging from 26 to 49◦C and relative humidities of 10 to 100% • She commented that ‘Death can occur at surprisingly low temperatures, provided the evaporative power of the air is sufficiently reduced’ Source: Environment and fatal heat stroke; an analysis of 157 cases occurring in the Army in the U.S. during World War II.
- 4. Safe to work NOT Safe towork HEAT STRESS CHALLENGE No. 1 HEAT STRESS CHALLENGE No. 1 THERE IS NO EASY SAFE/NOT SAFE WORK LIMIT
- 5. Weather Air temperature, humidity,air speed, radiant surfaces. Clothing PPE Work Rate Strenuous work, when and how often breaks scheduled. The Individual Acclimatisation, age, medical conditions. MAJOR FACTORS CONTRIBUTING TO HEAT STRESS + HIDDEN FACTORS Isolation Working alone and/or remote locations. Culture Working without breaks, drinking energy drinks & alcohol. Monitoring & Controls Reactive controls, poor monitoring, wrong choice of heat stress variables / indices to monitor. Education Lack of knowledge on signs of heat stress & dehydration, amount of water to drink. HEAT STRESS CHALLENGE No. 1
- 6. HEAT STRESS CHALLENGENo. 2 HIDDEN FACTORS / INTERACTION EFFECTS Isolation Culture Monitoring & Controls Education Working alone and/or remote locations. Working without breaks, drinking energy drinks & alcohol. Reactive controls, poor monitoring, wrong choice of heat stress variables / indices to monitor. Lack of knowledge on signs of heat stress & dehydration, amount of water to drink. HEAT STRESS CHALLENGE No. 2
- 7. UNDERSTANDING IMPACTS OFHEAT STRESS ON WORKERS SYMPTOMS OF DEHYDRATION Reaction time Visual motor tracking Coordination Short term memory Long term memory Attention SYMPTOMS OF HEAT STRAIN Heat rash Heat oedema Heat cramps Heat syncope Heat exhaustion Heat stroke Increasingseverityofsymptoms HEAT STRESS CHALLENGE No. 2
- 8. HEAT STRESS CHALLENGENo. 3 HEAT STRESS AND SAFETY HEAT STRESS CHALLENGE No. 3
- 9. Ramsey et al(1983) Effects of workplace thermal comfort on safe work behavior. Journal of safety Research, Vol. 14, pp. 105-114, 1983 HEAT STRESS CHALLENGE No. 3
- 10. Engineering Administrative PPE Elimination / Substitution Source:Di Corleto, R., Firth, I., & Mate, J. (2013). A Guide to Managing Heat Stress: Developed for Use in the Australian Environment. AIOH. • Reschedule work • Roofs / walls to use light reflective colours • Structure design for good airflow • Walls / roofs insulated • Hot objects to be insulated • Fans & chiller units installed • Screens / barriers to shield heat source • Relocate hot processes • Ready access to cool palatable water • Cool area for breaks • Consider medical screening prior to work • Use heat stress indices to assist in determining work-rest regimes • Training / education of workers • Self paced work encouraged • Phase change vests • Vortex tube air cooling • Chose light coloured materials to promote good air flow across the skin MITIGATION AND CONTROLS HEAT STRESS CHALLENGE No. 3
- 11. HEAT STRESS CHALLENGENo. 4 LEAD TIME TO IMPLEMENT CONTROLS • Mechanical aids to lower metabolic workload • Screens / barriers to shield heat source • Fans & chiller units installed • Cool area for breaks • Dehumidifying the air • Roofs / walls to use light reflective colours • Structure design for good airflow • Walls / roofs insulated • Hot objects to be insulated • Relocate hot processes • Training / education of workers LEAD TIME > 7 DAYS • Reschedule work • Use heat stress indices to assist in determining work- rest regimes LEAD TIME > 1 DAY • Self paced work • Ready access to cool palatable water • Phase change vests (if available) • Vortex tube air cooling (if available) LEAD TIME: IMMEDIATE HEAT STRESS & STRAIN INSTRUMENTS TAKE DIRECT MEASUREMENTS & GIVE NO LEAD TIME TO IMPLEMENT CONTROLS HEAT STRESS CHALLENGE No. 4
- 12. HEAT STRESS CHALLENGENo. 5 MEASUREMENT - TIME & RESOURCE Measuring heat stress requires: 1. Technical instrumentation to measure meteorological variables. 2. A competent operator who can correctly use meteorological instrumentation. 3. The working knowledge in order to interpret instrumentation readings and use to be compliant with site heat stress management procedures. 4. Only provide information on the environmental load and don’t actually indicate personal heat accumulation status 5. Time and human resources are available every hazardous hour of every hazardous day heat stress may pose a threat. HEAT STRESS MEASUREMENTS TAKE TIME & MONEY AND MAYBE OVERLOOKED HEAT STRESS CHALLENGE No. 5
- 13. HEAT STRESS CHALLENGENo. 6 WEATHER FACTORS ARE CHANGING Source: Bureau of Meteorology. http://www.bom.gov.au/climate/change/index.shtml#tabs=Tracker&tracker=timeseries HEAT STRESS CHALLENGE No. 6
- 14. Weather Work Rate Culture Isolation Education The Individual ClothingLevel 3 Monitoring Level 2 Monitoring Level 1 Monitoring Variance/abilitytochange Complexity/requiredresource Leadtimetoimplement IMMEDIATE • Self paced work encouraged • Ready access to cool palatable water • Electrolytes available where applicable > 1 DAY • Reschedule work • Use heat stress indices to assist in determining work-rest regimes > 7 DAYS • Mechanical aids to lower metabolic workload • Screens / barriers to shield heat source • Fans & chiller units installed • Cool area for breaks • Dehumidifying the air • Light reflective colours on roof / walls • Structure design for good airflow • Walls / roofs insulated • Hot objects insulation • Relocate hot processes • Training / education of workers • Phase change vests • Vortex tube air cooling • Light coloured material clothing HEAT STRESS CHALLENGE No. 7 ADAPTING TO CHANGING FACTORS CHANGING FACTORS MONITORING CONTROLS HEAT STRESS CHALLENGE No. 7
- 15. SYSTEMATIC MANAGEMENT OF HEATSTRESS RISK
- 16. Heat Management 1. Preparedness Risk profilingand establishing triggers 2. Mitigation/Control Determine actions for your triggers and daily status 3. Daily monitoring Monitoring your triggers and determine your daily status 4. Alerts Targeted alerts with predefined actions 5. Review Post summer analysis to update triggers SYSTEMATIC MANAGEMENT OF HEAT STRESS RISK SYSTEMATIC MANAGEMENT OF HEAT STRESS RISK
- 17. Daily Targeted Action Develop a Heat SafePlan Status – Triggers – Actions Be Prepared Assess Risk Pre-Summer SYSTEMATIC MANAGEMENT OF HEAT STRESS RISK
- 18. A review shouldbe conducted to assess the preparedness and adequacy of site infrastructure and management strategies prior to the summer season. GOAL - identify at-risk jobs; determine the adequacy of current control measures; and prepare management plans to guide activities during the summer months. SCOPE – Baseline risk profiling, identify controls required to mitigate risk and categorise lead time required to implement control, inventory and control implementation strategy, training 1. Pre-Summer Preparation SYSTEMATIC MANAGEMENT OF HEAT STRESS RISK
- 19. Hazard 0 12 3 Value Work Environment Sun exposure Indoor Shade Part Shade No shade 2 Hot surfaces Neutral Warm on contact Hot on contact Burn on contact 1 Work setting Open area Air flow restricted due to structures Working in a pit or hole 0 Distance from cool rest area < 10 m < 50 m 50 - 100 m > 100 m 1 Distance from drinking water Can drink freely < 30 m 30 - 50 m > 50 m 3 Confined spaces No Yes 0 Activity Exposure Period <30 minutes 30- 60 minutes 1-2 hours > 2 hours 1 Task complexity Simple Moderate Complex 1 Climbing, up/down stairs or ladders None One level Two levels > two levels 1 Clothing and PPE Clothing (permeable) Single Layer (light) Single Layer (mod) Multi Layer 1 Respiratory protection (- ve pressure) None Disposable half face Rubber half face Full face 0 Personal factors Understanding of heat strain risk Training given No training given 0 Acclimatisaton Acclimatised Unacclimatised 3 Job risk factor 14 Example Basic Thermal Risk Assessment (Field work) Level of activity could be low, moderate or high – assess all 3 SYSTEMATIC MANAGEMENT OF HEAT STRESS RISK
- 20. 0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100% All Jan FebMar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Moderate activity 0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100% All Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Heavy activity Category Interpretation of risk Low Risk of a heat related illness – low to moderate Moderate Potential for heat-induced illness occurring if conditions are not addressed. High Onset of heat-induced illness is very likely 0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100% All Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Light activity Results of a risk assessment for a single job profile SYSTEMATIC MANAGEMENT OF HEAT STRESS RISK
- 21. Site Wide RiskProfile Job Profile All Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec AdminField_Lte 26 33 29 26 25 25 25 25 25 25 25 26 29 AdminField_Mod 32 50 45 36 27 25 25 25 25 26 27 34 45 AdminField_Hvy 49 64 61 53 45 43 43 42 42 44 44 51 61 OpsField_Lte 26 33 29 26 25 25 25 25 25 25 25 26 29 OpsField_Mod 35 56 51 39 27 25 25 25 25 26 28 38 50 OpsField_Hvy 54 72 70 64 48 43 43 42 42 45 47 58 70 MaintField_Lte 27 36 31 26 25 25 25 25 25 25 25 26 30 MaintField_Mod 35 56 51 39 27 25 25 25 25 26 28 38 50 MaintField_Hvy 54 72 70 64 48 43 43 42 42 45 47 58 70 Pipeline_Lte 26 33 29 26 25 25 25 25 25 25 25 26 29 Pipeline_Mod 32 50 45 36 27 25 25 25 25 26 27 34 45 Pipeline_Hvy 49 64 61 53 45 43 43 42 42 44 44 51 61 LandEnv_Lte 27 36 31 26 25 25 25 25 25 25 25 26 30 LandEnv_Mod 35 56 51 39 27 25 25 25 25 26 28 38 50 LandEnv_Hvy 54 72 70 64 48 43 43 42 42 45 47 58 70 Wells_Lte 27 36 31 26 25 25 25 25 25 25 25 26 30 Wells_Mod 35 56 51 39 27 25 25 25 25 26 28 38 50 Wells_Hvy 54 72 70 64 48 43 43 42 42 45 47 58 70 Contract_Lte 27 36 31 26 25 25 25 25 25 25 25 26 30 Contract_Mod 48 62 58 50 44 43 43 42 42 44 43 49 58 Contract_Hvy 78 78 77 79 79 78 78 77 76 80 75 75 80 SYSTEMATIC MANAGEMENT OF HEAT STRESS RISK
- 22. Daily Targeted Action Develop a Heat SafePlan Status – Triggers – Actions Be Prepared Assess Risk Pre-Summer SYSTEMATIC MANAGEMENT OF HEAT STRESS RISK
- 23. Engineering Administrative PPE Elimination / Substitution Source:Di Corleto, R., Firth, I., & Mate, J. (2013). A Guide to Managing Heat Stress: Developed for Use in the Australian Environment. AIOH. • Reschedule work • Roofs / walls to use light reflective colours • Structure design for good airflow • Walls / roofs insulated • Hot objects to be insulated • Fans & chiller units installed • Screens / barriers to shield heat source • Relocate hot processes • Ready access to cool palatable water • Cool area for breaks • Consider medical screening prior to work • Use heat stress indices to assist in determining work-rest regimes • Training / education of workers • Self paced work encouraged • Phase change vests • Vortex tube air cooling • Chose light coloured materials to promote good air flow across the skin 2. Mitigation/Controls SYSTEMATIC MANAGEMENT OF HEAT STRESS RISK
- 24. Status Possible Trigger High or moderaterisk event predicted 3-7 days out Actions Review at risk profiles Review inventory of controls Ensure adequate staff available if monitoring is required Status Imminent Trigger High or moderate risk event predicted for tomorrow Actions Reschedule high risk jobs (if possible) or ensure workers are acclimatised Warning to at risk job profiles (be hydrated) Ensure adequate controls and monitoring equipment are available if needed Status Immediate Trigger High risk event forecast for TODAY OR Reported heat illness Actions Issue warnings to all jobs Provide additional controls (if possible) Hydration testing for high risk jobs Direct monitoring for high risk jobs Ensure all workers for high risk jobs are acclimatised, have adequate hydration and can self pace Status, Triggers and Actions SYSTEMATIC MANAGEMENT OF HEAT STRESS RISK
- 25. OUTPUT from your Pre-Summer Preparation shouldbe a plan with defined controls, and actions for each status level Set up your foundation. Plan what actions you may take based on the daily status Heat Safe Plan SYSTEMATIC MANAGEMENT OF HEAT STRESS RISK
- 26. Daily Targeted Action Develop a Heat SafePlan Status – Triggers – Actions Be Prepared Assess Risk Pre-Summer SYSTEMATIC MANAGEMENT OF HEAT STRESS RISK
- 27. Daily monitoring isrequired to manage heat stress as conditions change on a day-to-day basis due to changing weather conditions. The overall concept of daily monitoring is to determine your daily status, much in the same way a bush fire hazard is communicated to the community. Status is a useful concept to help communicate the current heat stress threat to staff and help drive the implementation of actions and allocation of resources, particularly prior to an event. 3. Daily Monitoring SYSTEMATIC MANAGEMENT OF HEAT STRESS RISK
- 28. Importance of communication •Determine your daily status and then disseminate the appropriate information to others • Simple target messages • Clear actions for TODAY Examples • E-mail and or sms alerts • Chart on a notice board • Summary for tool box talk All your hard work in setting up your site should be paying off! Everyone should be clear about what they each need to do to mitigate the risk of a heat related illness 4. Alerts SYSTEMATIC MANAGEMENT OF HEAT STRESS RISK
- 29. Daily Targeted Action Develop a Heat SafePlan Status – Triggers – Actions Be Prepared Assess Risk Pre-Summer SYSTEMATIC MANAGEMENT OF HEAT STRESS RISK
- 30. • Post Summerreview • Assess accidents/incidents • Review risk assessments • Rethink triggers • Apply risk modifiers, if required – a way to address those hidden factors 5. Review SYSTEMATIC MANAGEMENT OF HEAT STRESS RISK
- 31. Recap 1. There isno easy safe/not safe to work limit 2. Hidden factors to consider 3. Flow on effect to safety 4. Lead time to implement controls 5. Monitoring requires time and money 6. Need to adapt to a changing environment 7. Complexity of many changing factors Systematic Heat Stress Management • Use a risk based approach • Review annually to update and account for hidden factors • Use a forecast to be proactive and plan • Use risk assessment to identify high risks and only monitor when required • Setup action plan based on basic daily status to allow a targeted response Heat Stress Challenges SYSTEMATIC MANAGEMENT OF HEAT STRESS RISK
- 32. 1. Preparedness Risk profilingand establishing triggers 2. Mitigation/Control Determine actions for your triggers and daily status 3. Daily monitoring Monitoring your triggers and determine your daily status 4. Alerts Targeted alerts with predefined actions 5. Review Post summer analysis to update triggers What can help you with SYSTEMATIC MANAGEMENT OF HEAT STRESS RISK? SYSTEMATIC MANAGEMENT OF HEAT STRESS RISK
- 33. Thank you For moreinformation visit: Heat Manager.com.au www.heatmanager.com.au [email protected] +61 7 3369 3699 Proudly brought to you by: SYSTEMATIC MANAGEMENT OF HEAT STRESS RISK