DOHA: Heat-related-illnesses at work sites are a management error rather than a medical issue, according to experts. The Supreme Council of Health (SCH) yesterday issued Heat-stress guidelines and recommendations which will be implemented at work sites with support from the Ministry of Labour.
Heat stress is the effect of hot environment on a person's ability to maintain a normal body temperature. A hot or humid weather hinders natural loss of body temperature through sweating and evaporation, thus effecting mental and physical performance which results in heat illnesses/ stress. Heat stress causes heat cramps, heat exhaustion, fainting and heat stroke. Workers have died or suffered serious conditions because of this.
"The best defence against heat illnesses is to develop and establish preventative measures. This can include organisation policies, education and training to workers, availability of water and shaded, and first aid," said Dr Wasif M Alam, Consultant, Occupational Health, SCH.
Water is a key preventative measure against heat-illnesses. It provides the body's single best defence against heat other than removing heat exposure itself. In conditions of high heat and strenuous work, the human body can lose over a quart of fluid per hour just by sweating. Continuous replacement of lost fluid is critical. Employers should encourage workers to drink water. Amongst the best practices is providing out-door workers one quart of potable, safe and cool water per person, per hour
Also providing shades that allow free flow of air to block sunlight and reduce temperature can help.
Medical experts from RasGas and Qatar Fertiliser Company, stressed the fact that heat related illness are not medical issue.
"Heat-illnesses becomes a medical issue only once it happens and we need treatment. But, it is a failure on part of management if it happens as they could not prevent it. Actions should focus on prevention not cure," said a medical official from Ras Gas.
Both Ras Gas and Qafco have not had any heat-illnesses over the past year. "Workers should check if they are dehydrated and colour of urine is a good sign of severity of dehydration and is easy to follow -clearer the urine, more hydrated a person is. Water should not be replaced by any other fluids. Energy drinks are harmful as most of them are hypertonic and can have sever-adverse effects. Also soft drinks would do more harm especially to diabetic workers, due to sugar content. Also, Oral Rehydration Solutions are given as a treatment for loss of salt through dehydration and is not a preventative measure for heat-illnesses," Dr Alam stressed.
A major factor organisations should consider is Heat Index, which takes into consideration the relative humidity and temperature. Heat Index (HI) is an indicator of how hot an individual will feel. Even when temperature is 30 degree Celsius an increase in relative humidity at 90percent can mean heat Index is 54. HI at 54 and above are seen as conditions where heat stroke and sun stroke are imminent and SCH recommends stopping work at this level.
© The Peninsula 2011
