Heat related illness

When it is hot, workers and members of the public become more vulnerable to heat stress. Heat stress can lead to heat stroke, a potentially life-threatening condition.

Symptoms of heat stress to watch out for include:

• nausea
• feeling faint
• dizziness
• loss of appetite
• headache, and
• vomiting.

If you recognise a worker displaying symptoms of heat stress, call the first-aid officer or an ambulance:

• try to get the person to a cooler environment
• lay the person down
• remove outer layers of clothing and PPE
• cool them by applying cool, wet towels around the neck and underarms
• if conscious, give cool fluids (preferably water) to drink
• visit the GP or walk-in clinic
• do not leave the worker alone, continue monitoring. If the symptoms worsen, call an ambulance.

When heat stress persists without intervention, it can lead to heat stroke. Heat stroke is a life-threatening condition in which the body overheats when it can no longer maintain a healthy temperature.

Indicators of heat stroke include:

• drowsiness/unconsciousness
• dilated pupils
• rapid and shallow breathing, and
• hot dry skin.

Heat stroke is an emergency. You should ring Emergency 000 immediately and ask for an Ambulance. Once you have called an ambulance, follow as many of these steps as possible:

• remove the worker’s excessive clothing and PPE
• move them to a cooler area
• immerse the worker in cold water if available and safe to do so. Do not leave the person unattended.
• if immersion is unavailable apply cold water to the workers face and torso and maximise air-flow with the use of fans, if possible.
• fan the worker, and
• facilitate drinking of cold fluids if they are fully conscious.