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BC employees and employers warned about heat stress

Warmer temperatures can lead to injuries from heat exhaustion and heat stroke, says WorkSafeBC
Work safe Powell River
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WorkSafeBC is reminding residents about the risk of developing symptoms of heat stress when working outdoors.

As temperatures rise throughout the province, WorkSafeBC released a statement to reiterate that, left untreated, heat stress can lead to injuries from heat exhaustion and heat stroke.

“With the hot weather, workers and employers need to be aware of the risks from sun exposure and heat stress,” stated Barry Nakahara, WorkSafeBC senior manager of prevention field services. “Heat stress is a preventable injury, yet last year in BC there were 26 accepted claims for work-related heat stress injuries.” 

Heat stress occurs when internal temperature increases faster than the body can cool itself, according to WorkSafe BC. Symptoms of heat exhaustion include excess sweating, dizziness, fainting and muscle cramps. Symptoms of heat stroke include cessation of sweating, an increased breathing rate, confusion, seizures and even cardiac arrest. 

To prevent heat stress injuries, WorkSafeBC says it requires employers to conduct heat stress assessments, and employers must have a heat stress mitigation plan that provides education and training in recognizing symptoms of heat stress and heat stroke when appropriate.

The following preventive measures can help prevent heat stress.

Employers:

• Change work practices and policies to limit the risk

• Monitor heat conditions and require workers not to work alone  

• Determine appropriate work-rest cycles; when a worker feels ill it may be too late 

• Rotate work activities or use additional workers to reduce exposure 

• Establish cooling areas with shade and water 

• Ensure there is adequate first-aid coverage and emergency procedures are in place 

• Make physical modifications to facilities, equipment, processes to reduce exposure

Workers: 

• Keep hydrated and drink plenty of water (one glass every 20 minutes) 

• Wear light-coloured, loose-fitting clothing made of breathable fabric, such as cotton 

• Take rest breaks in a cool, well-ventilated area 

• Do hard physical work during the coolest parts of the day, before 11 am and after 3 pm 

• Know your personal risk factors, such as medications and any preexisting conditions 

• Check for signs and symptoms of heat stress

For more information, go to worksafebc.com.