So it's hot, finally, and despite our grumblings that the Great British summer was never going to arrive I'm sure there are a few of us - namely those operating heated welding tools under the blue, cloudless sky whilst shrouded in PPE - who wish it would cool down just a tad.
Heat exhaustion can happen to anyone and in some cases can lead to heat stroke. According to the NHS, symptoms of heat exhaustion include:
- Feeling flushed
- Nausea and/or vomiting
- Rapid heartbeat
- Mental confusion
- Extreme tierdness
- Urinating less often/ darker coloured urine
So for those of you who don't have the luxury of an air conditioned work space to take sanctury in, here are a few tips to help you keep your cool!
- Work as early or as late as possible to avoid the mid-day heat.
- Take regular breaks and drink plenty of water to avoid dehydration. Water isn't the most exciting of drinks, but caffine will have the opposite effect to what you want. Try adding concentrated juice to water to make it more enjoyable.
- Fact is, you're going to get hot and sweaty and tierd, so eat plenty to keep energy levels up. Try to eat cold foods like salads and foods with a high water content such as fruit.
- If you are working indoors, try turning off electrical equipment not required for use as these can generate additional heat.
- Advise workers on heat stress, especially new or young employees.
- Even when you're not working, take care to avoid sun burn. Use sun cream or cover up and wear a hat.
A person with heat exhaustion should be moved quickly to somewhere cool and given fluids (preferably water) to drink. It is always advisable to seek medical attention.
For more information visit: http://www.hse.gov.uk/temperature/heatstress/index.htm
http://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/geis1.pdf
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