Page 97 - INTERNATIONAL SOS PR REPORT JUNE 2024

6/28/24, 2:16 PM Workforce safety amid extreme heatwaves - Health Magazine
Workers across various sectors are impacted by extreme 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 it can cause mental fatigue, while physiological
and cognitive abilities can decline due to heat strain. Exposure to excessive heat can also lead to serious health
risks, including heatstroke and even death. Proactive measures from organizations are crucial to mitigate these risks
and safeguard worker wellbeing and productivity.

Dr. Ehab Chalabie, Medical Director, Medical Services, Middle East, 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. Organizations must go beyond basic heat stress
prevention and integrate heat stress risk assessments into their health and safety policies. Furthermore, training
employees to recognize 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, organizations can empower their workforce to stay healthy and safe.

“It is also important for organizations to be able to distinguish the different stages of heat-related illness. Heatstroke,
the most severe heat illness, is a medical emergency and can cause long term impact if prompt medical attention is
not given. Symptoms include a core body temperature exceeding 40°C, nausea and/or vomiting, confusion and
seizures. Recognizing 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 organizations to mitigate workforce health risks of extreme heat
events:

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.

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.
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 recognize heat
stress symptoms and provide clear protocols for hydration, rest breaks and cooling down.

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.

Continuously review and update your response plans: conduct regular reviews of your organization’s heat
response plans to ensure they reflect the latest information and best practices for heat safety.

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