Safety, Health & Environmental Bulletin – Number 176 – Summer Working (Heat Exhaustion)

High temperature and humidity, physical exertion and insufficient water intake can lead to dehydration and heat–related stress.

When the humidity is high, sweat won't evaporate as quickly, which prevents your body releasing heat fast enough.

This can lead to some serious situations including heat stroke (which can be fatal) – heat cramps and heat exhaustion.

Personal factors such as age, weight, diabetes lifestyle and fitness can also play a role in how hot weather can affect the body.

Be mindful of how the hot weather might impact you personally, or might impact your colleagues.

Heat stroke is a life-threatening condition that develops when the systems of the body are overwhelmed by heat and begin to stop functioning.

Signs of heat stroke include extremely high body temperature, red skin that may be dry or moist, changes in consciousness, rapid and weak pulse, vomiting, and seizures.

Heat cramps are muscular pains and spasms that usually occur in the legs or abdomen.

What to do if you are suffering from cramps?