Ontario Government Urges Public To Take Steps To Prevent Heat Stress
Physical Work, Loss Of Fluids Can Be Dangerous During Hot Weather
TORONTO, July 14 /CNW/ - The Ontario government is urging the public to be aware of the dangers of heat stress and to protect themselves as a heat wave continues to affect Ontario, Labour Minister Steve Peters said today.
"Ensuring safety in the workplace isn't limited to worrying about
physical hazards like machinery, you also have to consider things like high temperatures," said Peters. "Employers and workers must be aware of the symptoms of heat stress and take steps to prevent it from happening."
Working or playing where it is hot puts stress on the body's cooling system. When heat is combined with other stresses such as hard physical work, loss of fluids, fatigue or some medical conditions, it can lead to heat-related illness, disability and even death.
Heat stress can affect anyone, including the young and fit, and can be a concern in many workplaces. For indoor workers, major sources of heat are furnaces, bakeries, smelters, foundries and other hot equipment. For outdoor workers, direct sunlight is the main source of heat. Humidity in workplaces also contributes to heat stress.
Symptoms of heat stress may include sunburn, cramping, fainting, heavy sweating, headache and dizziness. If you are working in a hot environment, you should drink lots of fluids to replace perspiration. Try to drink a cup of water about every 20 minutes, and when possible, try to:
- Avoid working in direct sunlight
- Reduce the pace of work
- Increase the number of breaks
- Take breaks in a cool or shaded area
- Schedule heavy work for cooler periods
- Wear light-coloured, summer clothing
- Reduce the physical demands of work by using hoists, lift-tables, etc.
Employers have a duty under the Occupational Health and Safety Act to take every precaution reasonable in the circumstances for the protection of a worker. This includes developing hot environment policies and procedures to protect workers in hot environments due to hot processes or hot weather. For more information, please see the ministry's Heat Stress Guideline at w.gov.on.ca/lab/english/hs/guidelines/gl_heat.html
More information on heat stress and hot weather plans is also available from Ontario's safe workplace associations
(www.gov.on.ca/lab/english/hs/websites.html).
"Ontario has been blanketed by a heat wave, with more hot weather likely to come," said Peters. "I urge everyone to protect themselves from the dangers of heat stress, and we can all start by thinking cool."
