Page 79 - INTERNATIONAL SOS PR REPORT JUNE 2024

6/28/24, 2:15 PM Unprecedented Global Temperatures and Record-Breaking Heat: Rising Workforce Health and Safety Concerns - SME & Entrepren…
weather events, however, certain occupations are especially at risk as they involve more physical effort
and/or take place outdoors.

Industrial workers in indoor settings are also at risk if temperature levels inside factories and workshops are
not regulated properly. At high heat levels, performing even basic office and desk tasks can be challenging
as mental fatigue and physiological and cognitive decline set in due to heat strain.

Exposure to excessive heat can also lead to serious health risks, including heatstroke and even death.
Proactive measures from organisations are crucial to mitigate these risks and safeguard worker wellbeing
and productivity.

Dr Katherine O’Reilly, Regional Medical Director at International SOS, comments, “The growing intensity
and frequency of heatwaves pose a significant challenge for workforce health and safety.

Occupational heat stress used to be primarily an outdoor concern, but with rising temperatures, even indoor
workplaces without proper ventilation can become dangerous. Organisations must go beyond basic heat
stress prevention and integrate heat stress risk assessments into their health and safety policies.

Furthermore, training employees to recognise early signs of heat illness is critical. Early intervention can
prevent a medical emergency and long-term health consequences. By fostering a culture of heat awareness
and encouraging frequent hydration and breaks during peak temperatures, organisations can empower their
workforce to stay healthy and safe.

“It is also important for organisations to be able to distinguish the different stages of heat-related illness.
Heatstroke, the most severe heat illness, is a medical emergency. Without prompt medical attention, it can
lead to lasting disability or even death.

“Symptoms include a core body temperature exceeding 40°C, nausea and/or vomiting, confusion and
seizures. Recognising the early signs of heat stress, such as sweating, dizziness, headache and cramps,
allows swift intervention to prevent escalation to heat exhaustion or heat stroke.”

International SOS offers guidelines for organisations to mitigate workforce health risks of extreme heat
events:

1.Conduct heat-specific risk assessments: regularly assess your operations for potential heat stress hazards.
Identify high-risk locations and activities and consider vulnerable employee profiles, including those with pre-
existing health conditions or who perform strenuous outdoor work.
2.Integrate heat safety into health and safety policies: make heat stress prevention a core component of your
health and safety policies. Ensure workers have access to shaded areas for breaks, hydration stations to keep
hydrated and allow for breathable workwear suitable for high temperatures.

3.Provide heat stress awareness and prevention training: deliver climate-specific training programmes that focus
on working safely in extreme heat. Educate employees on proper hydration practices and sun protection
measures and enable them to adjust their work pace during high temperatures. Train employees to recognise
heat stress symptoms and provide clear protocols for hydration, rest breaks and cooling down.
4.Develop robust heat response protocols: develop well-defined procedures for responding to heat-related
illnesses, including first aid and emergency evacuation. Communicate these protocols effectively and ensure
your workforce knows who to contact in case of a heat emergency.
5.Continuously review and update your response plans: conduct regular reviews of your organisation’s heat
response plans to ensure they reflect the latest information and best practices for heat safety.

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