HSE Module 4.3 Heat and Temperature Hazards

Heat and Temperature Hazards

Operations with high potential of causing heat stress normally involve high temperatures, radiant heat sources, high humidity, direct physical contact with hot objects.

The American Conference of Government Industrial hygienists 1992 (ACGIH) states that workers should not be permitted to work when their deep body temperature exceeds 38º C.

Potential Heat Stress Operation

1. Iron and steel foundry

2. Electrical utilities (boiler room)

3. Bakeries, food canneries

4. Chemical plants

5. Construction, refining, asbestos removal

6. Hazardous waste site (require wearing impermeable protective clothing)

Temperature

The degree of hotness or coldness of a body or environment (corresponding to its molecular activity) that can be measured using a thermometer

Heat

A form of energy that can be transferred from one system to another system as a result of temperature difference (from high to low temperatures)

WET BULB GLOBE THERMOMETER (WBGT)

• Most accurate measurement of heat hazards

• Takes into account humidity, radiant heat and air temperature

• Reading lower than regular thermometer

• Testing should be done under normal working conditions as close to the works as possible

When our deep body temperature is between 20-27 degree C

Our body are in comfort zone.

We can perform our work at maximum efficiency

when temperature goes >27 degree C

We start to feel discomfort, irritate, lost concentration and efficiency in mental tasks

leading to mental problem

As the temperature goes even higher

we start losing efficiency in skilled tasks committing more errors causing more incidents…

Our body system starts to be dysfunctional leading to physiological problems such as fatigue and threat of exhaustion.

The maximum temperature tolerance is 35 to 40 degree C

Our body could not tolerate at this temperature, this conditions can lead to fatality.

Body Clues of High temperature

1. Lack of sweating

2. Hot Dry Skin

3. Headaches

4. Weakness

5. Dizziness

6. Nausea

7. No appetite

8. Short of breath vomiting

Factors affecting Heat Stress

• Intensity of the heat

• Duration of the exposure period

• Tasks involved

• Person performing the tasks

• Presence of other stresses

Causal Factors:

1. Personal factor

Age, weight, degree of fitness, degree of acclimatization, metabolism, use of drug or alcohol, type of clothing worn, hypertension

Causal factors:

2. Environmental factor

Radiant heat, air movement, conduction, relative humidity

The severity at which a person will burn is based mainly on the depth to which the burn penetrates, which is dependent on:

• Intensity of thermal energy transfer through

  1. Radiation

  2. Convection

  3. Conduction

• Absorptivity of the skin

• Length of exposure

Heat Disorder and Health Effects:

1. Heat cramps

Involve muscular pains and spasms, cold sweating and vomiting. Generally, occurs due to a depletion of salt and potassium.

Action: Replenish the body’s salt and potassium supply orally. (Commercially produce liquids with proper quantity of salts, potassium, electrolytes and other elements)

Heat Disorder and Health Effects:

2. Heat Exhaustion

Next step after heat cramp. May lose the ability to stand erect. Water or salt depletion. Body becomes dehydrated.

Action: Move person to a cool, but not cold environment and allowed to rest lying down. Fluids should be taken slowly but steadily by mouth until the urine volume indicates that the body’s fluid level is once again in balance.

Heat Disorder and Health Effects:

3. Heat Stroke

More serious than heat cramps or exhaustion. patient will have a temperature of 105 degree F (40.5 degree C) or more, with corresponding hot skin, but it will be dryy, with no perspiration.

Action: Immediately reduce his or her body core temperature. Victim should be immersed in chilled water if facilities are available.

Controlling And Preventing Heat Stress

• Engineering controls: ventilation, shielding, cooling fans etc

• Work practice: provide plenty of drinking water, first aids training

• Alternating work and rest periods

• Acclimatization to the heat through short exposure

• Employee education

• Heat Stress Card: OSHA publication 3154

Classification of Burn Severities

Tolerance to burns:

the ability of a person to survive exposure to heat is governed by 2 factors:

• Tolerance to pain

• Heat-exposure level at which second-degree burns begin

First-degree burn

Only cause a redness of the skin, which indicates a mild inflammation. The most common is sunburn. All are considered minor.

Second-degree burn

Blister of the skin will form, and in severe cases, fluid will collect under the skin. Sometimes more painful than 3rd degree based on nerve ending not damaged. Considered minor when only 15% of the body covered

Third-degree burn

Burns the skin, subcutaneous tissue, red blood cells, capillaries, and sometimes muscle are destroyed. burned skin may be white, light gray, or even charred black. Considered minor when only 2% of the body is covered.

Treatment for first-degree burns:

• Soak in cool water for a few minutes

• Apply antibiotic ointment

• Cover with clean, dry bandage

• Take acetaminophen or ibuprofen

Treatment for second- degree burns

• Soak in cool water for several minutes

• Apply antibiotic ointment

• Cover with non-stick bandage

• Change your bandage daily

• Take acetaminophen or ibuprofen

Treatment for third or fourth- degree burns

• Seek immediate medical help

• Elevate burned body part above heart

Seek medical attention if your burn is:

• larger than 3 inches in diameter

• Located on:

  1. Face

  2. Hands

  3. Feet

  4. Groin

  5. Buttocks

• Over a major joint