SYMPTOMS OF HEAT EXHAUSTION

In order to avoid any near misses and accidents through the relentless heat, we must be extra vigilant and spot staff with early warning signs of heat exhaustion. 

The symptoms of heat exhaustion can develop rapidly. They include:

• very hot skin that feels ‘flushed’

• heavy sweating

• dizziness

• extreme tiredness (fatigue)

• feeling sick (nausea)

• being sick (vomiting)

• a rapid heartbeat

• mental confusion

• and less trips to the loo than normal (discoloured urine)

A person with heat exhaustion should be moved quickly to somewhere cool and given fluids (preferably water) to drink

• They should then begin to feel better within half an hour
• However, people with kidney, heart or circulation problems and people with diabetes who use insulin are more at risk of developing heatstroke or suffering complications from dehydration, and should be taken to hospital

Prevention by:

• Provision of extra water coolers within the workplace

• Keep factory and warehouse doors open where possible to allow airflow

• Introduce extra breaks for staff who work in hot conditions i.e. welding, powder coating etc. or rotate jobs more frequently