API Canada Doc. Type: Language: Total Pages: Function responsible: Security Level: Derived from: Replaces: WIA EN 1 of 10 Environment Health & Safety 2 Prepared by: Checked by: Approved by: Sunday Sobkiw Martin Laverdiere Bastien Audet Heat Stress CrossChecked by: CrossChecked by: Note: Blue text in this document indicates changes made during the latest revision Table of Contents Page 1 Purpose... 2 2 Responsibilities... 2 3 References... 2 4 Instructions... 3 5 Definitions and Acronyms... 9 6 Document History... 9
2 of 10 Purpose 1.1 Is to address situations where workers are working in excessive heat condition and to provide guidance on how to address these situations. 1.2 To create a procedure for testing areas and individuals for excessive heat on the Company work sites and in the absence of client procedures. 1.3 High risk areas include any area where insulation is being removed while the system is running or immediately following a system being shut down. 1.4 To educate the work force through synopsis and safety meetings. Responsibilities Safety, Supervision and Craft Workers This should be the responsibility of safety, supervisor and craft worker to ensure the work area and the worker is working in a safe and cool area and all parties should assess for signs and symptoms of heat stress. Workers should be pared up to provide a buddy system in order to assess condition of workers. Although this is a guideline, it is up to the worker to communicate their current condition. Safety s responsibility shall be to ensure means of hydration are available to all work forces and shall conduct wet globe tests in the event of working in a warm environment as well as weather conditions. Supervision/safety and craft workers must look for and be trained on signs of heat stress. The following should be considered: Is there adequate hydration provided i.e.: water stations throughout plant environment, at elevator locations or close to the work areas. Heat stress temperature protocol to be created and implemented using the following criteria: heart rate check, body temperature check, heat stress prevention value chart, heat stress reference chart, signs and symptom information sheet and urine color chart Safety to monitor work areas using wet bulb globe testing and to assess and initiate work cool down/rest protocol with the assistance of supervision All supervision to be made aware when WBGT readings reach 27 degrees Celsius and above work/rest regimes must be applied as per heat stress prevention threshold Has cool down stations with air conditioning been established Hazard assessment should reflect WBGT and conditions where excessive heat may be present Heat stress shall be taken seriously and if monitored properly, this is preventable References
3 of 10 Referenced Beat the Heat Heart Rate Check from TransAlta Beat the Heat Body Temperature Check Am I Hydrated Urine Color Chart Alberta Human Resources and Employment Working in the Heat Publication MG022, July 2007 Turn Around Heat Stress Prevention Threshold Values Chart from TransAlta Heat Stress Reference Chart from TransAlta Instructions How is heat stress measured? Heat in the environment is measured using a direct reading instrument that measures Wet Bulb Globe Temperature (WBGT) a measure of heat stress that accounts for temperature, humidity and air movement. WBGT measurements are used to determine work/rest cycles to allow workers time to cool from working in hot environments. Refer to Table 1 Heat Stress Reference Chart and Table 4 Threshold Value Chart Personal health monitoring For very hot environments, personal health monitoring is done by workers by measuring their body temperature and pulse rate. Health monitoring in hot environments is recommended, however it is voluntary. Body temperature and pulse rate monitoring can assist in identifying if someone is adversely affected by the heat. Refer also to Table 2 Heat stress problem and symptoms and Table 3 Urine Color Chart to help in identifying potential heat stress conditions.
4 of 10 Heart Rate Check Working in very hot or humid environments can put stress on your cooling system. Remember to try and get into a habit of checking your pulse rate when exiting a hot work area. Pulse rate is measured by taking radial pulse rate on the wrist to determine beats per minute. 1. Take your radial pulse rate for 30 seconds, using your index and forefinger. Multiply the result by two to get beats per minute. 2. If your pulse rate exceeds 110 beats per minute take action. 3. 2.5 minutes (150 seconds) after leaving the hot area, take your pulse rate again for 30 seconds, multiply by two to get beats per minute. 4. If your pulse rate exceeds 90 beats per minute take action. 5. If the difference between your two pulse rate measurements is less than 10 beats per minute take action. Body Temperature Check Body temperature can be taken using disposable thermometers or an ear thermometer. Below explain how to use the 3M Tempa DOT. Other type of thermometers may be use. 1. Place a new 3M Tempa DOT disposable thermometer under your tongue for 60 seconds. 2. The dots will change color from beige to light blue in increments of 0.1 C. Read your temperature. 3. You may be at risk of heat stress if your body temperature is above: 37.6 C. How do I work safely in hot environments? Use engineering controls such as fans in the work area Work/rest cycles may be determined follow them Wear personal protective equipment, such as cooling vests Attend tailgate talks and receive heat stress education Drink plenty of fluids, at least 1 cup (250ml) every 20 minutes and up to 1 cup (250ml) every 10 minutes (maximum of 1.5 Liter per hour). Cool off in the rest area provided Work by the buddy system, or ensure workers are periodically checked on Monitor yourself for signs of heat stress and exit the hot environment if you feel the onset of symptoms Know how to summon first aid
5 of 10 Voluntarily monitor your body temperature and pulse rate if this process has been determined for the work you are doing Is there anything else I can do to protect myself? Individuals react differently to high levels of heat. Factors such as weight, physical condition, health conditions (such as heart conditions or diabetes) may place you at higher risk. Talk with your doctor if you have concerns. Avoid caffeinated drinks such as coffee and cola drinks that contain caffeine Remember to drink plenty of fluids! Take action now Inform your supervisor Visit your local first aid room or dial your local emergency number Try and cool off Drink plenty of cool water or an electrolyte drink such as Gatorade Consider personal protective equipment such as an ice vest or insulated gloves Adjust work / rest cycles, work pace and job demands Do not return to the hot work area until your body temperature is below 37.6 C.
6 of 10 Table 1 Heat Stress Reference Chart
7 of 10 Table 2 Heat stress problem and symptoms PROBLEM AND SYMPTOMS TREATMENT PREVENTION Heat rash (prickly heat) thorough drying keep the skin as dry as possible Tingling and burning of the skin, red itchy rash. Sweat glands plugged due to prolonged exposure of skin to heat, humidity and sweat. cool showers calamine lotion rest in cool places shower often change clothes frequently Heat cramps massage the muscle(s) keep skin clean warm up muscles before heavy work Painful spasms of muscles that do the hardest work e.g., in the arms, legs and abdomen Fainting eat saltcontaining foods (unless to be avoided for medical reasons) lie down in a cool place take rest breaks eat a normal, healthy diet drink plenty of fluids at regular intervals Increased flow of blood to the skin to get rid of heat means less blood to brain drink cold fluids top lower body temperature avoid standing still in one position move around Heat exhaustion Tired, weak, dizzy, clammy skin, slow weak pulse. Pale or flushed skin color. Higher than normal heart rate (160 to 180 beats/min) Heat stroke Person usually stops sweating, body core temperature is high (40C 43C), skin is hot and dry. Person experiences headache, dizziness, confusion, may lose consciousness or have fits. Fatal if treatment is delayed see a doctor if fainting reoccurs lie down with knees raised drink cool, not cold, fluids contact a doctor if condition does not improve quickly this is a medical emergency. Person must be taken to the hospital as quickly as possible move worker closer to a cool or shaded area, remove clothing, wrap in wet sheet, pour on chilled water and fan vigorously. Avoid overcooling. Treat for shock once temperature is lowered take four to seven days to adjust (acclimatize) to the heat drink plenty of fluids at regular intervals take rest breaks in a cool place take four to seven days to adjust (acclimatize) to the heat drink plenty of fluids at regular intervals take rest breaks in a cool place wear clothing appropriate for the conditions follow a work/rest schedule
8 of 10 Table 3 Urine Color Chart Am I Hydrated Urine Color Chart
9 of 10 Table 4 Threshold Value Chart Definitions and Acronyms Table 1 Definitions Term Definition Table 2 Acronyms Acronym WBGT Wet Bulb Globe Temperature Definition Document History
10 of 10 Rev Description Date Initial release Jan 4 2017