SOP-07 Physical Work in A Hot Environment

Physical Work and/or Working in Hot P-07
Environments
Objective
To provide team members with clear guidelines for safely carrying out physically demanding work and/or
working in high temperature environments. Combining physical work and a hot environment increases your
risk of dehydration, heat stress, and heat stroke.
Keep Adequately Hydrated

 Drink before, during and after physical labor to replace body fluid lost in sweating.
 Anticipate conditions that will increase the need for water, including high temperature, humidity, full gear, and
difficulty of assignment.
 Drink every 15-20 minutes to ensure proper hydration – by the time you are thirsty, you are already dehydrated.
 Keep water within easy reach.
 Drink cool water – your body absorbs it more quickly.
Dehydration
Dehydration is a condition that occurs when a person loses more fluids than he or she takes in. Small
decreases don't cause problems, and in most cases, they go completely unnoticed. Losing larger amounts of
water can sometimes make a person feel quite sick and put them in serious danger.
Awareness
Although thirst is one indicator of dehydration, it is not an early warning sign. By the
you feel thirsty, you are likely already dehydrated. Other symptoms of dehydration
include:
Feeling dizzy and light-headed.
Having a dry or sticky mouth.
Producing less urine and darker urine.
Reporting
Call for your First Aid Attendant if you are feeling nauseous, fatigued or are having
trouble concentrating, or have a fainting spell.
Actions
Drink fluids frequently – before you get thirsty.
Slow down your work pace.
Take frequent breaks to hydrate yourself.
Wear a hat and loose fitting clothing.
Page 1 of 3
Physical Work and/or Working in Hot Environments P-07
Heat Stress
Heat stress means putting stress on your body’s cooling system when working in a hot environment.
Awareness
Most people feel comfortable when the air temperature is between 20°C and 27°C. When air
temperature or humidity is higher, people feel uncomfortable. Such situations do not cause harm as
long as the body can adjust and cope with the additional heat. Very hot environments can overwhelm
the body's coping mechanisms leading to a variety of serious and possibly fatal conditions. Watch for:
Uncomfortably hot and pale in appearance.
Heavy sweating.
Dizziness.
Loss of strength or energy and lack of endurance.
Headache or difficulty concentrating.
Reporting
Call for your First Aid Attendant or get transported to medical
services.
Actions
Move to a shaded area.
Take sips of cool (not cold) water frequently, to cool down and avoid stomach cramps.
Drink a lot of cool water all day — before you feel thirsty. Every 15 minutes, you may need a cup of water (5
to 7 ounces).
Do not continue with work until you are completely recovered
Heat Stroke
Heat stroke is caused by prolonged exposure to heat. It is the most severe form of heat illness and if left
untreated, it is a potentially lethal condition.
Heat stroke is the most severe form of heat illness. It can occur even in people who are not working in hot
environments, if the weather is hot enough.
Awareness
High body temperature.
The absence of sweating, with hot red or flushed dry skin.
Rapid pulse and difficulty breathing.
Strange behavior, hallucinations, or confusion.
Agitation or disorientation.
In extreme heat conditions, it can result in a seizure or ultimately, coma.
Reporting
Victims of heat stroke must receive immediate treatment to avoid permanent organ damage.
Always notify emergency services (9-1-1) immediately.
Page 2 of 3
Physical Work and/or Working in Hot Environments P-07
Heat Stroke (continued)
Actions
First and foremost, cool the victim. Get the victim to a shady area and loosen clothing.
Apply cool or tepid water to the skin (for example you may spray the victim with cool water from a garden
hose).
Fan the victim to promote sweating and evaporation
Place ice packs under armpits and groin.
Monitor body temperature with a thermometer and continue cooling efforts until the body temperature drops
to 101-102 degrees.
Fluid Drinking Guidelines

After just three hours on the jobsite, performance can be drastically affected by the symptoms of heat stress.
Replacing fluids lost from sweating is the single most important way to control heat stress, keeping workers
productive, safe and alert.
Fluid Drinking Guidelines (continued)
Maintain Your Focus
To insure that you are performing at your peak, use the one-liter rule: drink 1 liter for every hour you are
out.
What Happens if You Don’t Drink?
If you don’t drink often, the consequences are painful. Add heat, humidity, and protective clothing into the
picture and the danger of heat illness is magnified.
Fluid Drinking Guidelines

After just three hours on the jobsite, performance can be drastically affected by the symptoms of heat stress.
Replacing fluids lost from sweating is the single most important way to control heat stress, keeping workers
productive, safe and alert.
Fluid Drinking Guidelines (continued)
Maintain Your Focus
To insure that you are performing at your peak, use the one-liter rule: drink 1 liter for every hour you are
out.
What Happens if You Don’t Drink?
If you don’t drink often, the consequences are painful. Add heat, humidity, and protective clothing into the
picture and the danger of heat illness is magnified.
Page 3 of 3

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Physical Work and/or Working in Hot P-07

Keep Adequately Hydrated

Fluid Drinking Guidelines

Fluid Drinking Guidelines

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