Safe Work Manitoba is urging workers who work outdoors or in buildings without air conditioning to take safety measures while working in extreme summer heat.

 

Those measures include wearing clothing that is lightweight, light coloured, and loose-fitting; using indoor fans, taking rest breaks and drinking cool beverages, and focusing on lighter activities whenever possible, and leaving physically demanding tasks for cooler periods.

 

The agency says summer heat can cause reactions ranging from discomfort to serious illnesses in most people, including heat stress.

 

Heat stress is a condition in which the body is unable to control its internal temperature, with symptoms including headache, nausea, dizziness, weakness or tiredness, confusion, rapid breathing, and a rapid pulse.

 

Safe Work Manitoba says some of the ways to prevent heat stress include monitoring yourself and your co-workers, taking breaks and remembering to drink when you’re thirsty, and working in the shade and away from heat sources.

 

The agency explains the measures to treat someone who is experiencing heat stress include moving the person to a cool, shaded area, loosening or removing heavy clothing, providing cool drinking water, and calling 911 immediately.

 

It goes on to say that employers should work with their safety and health committees, workers, and worker representatives to create a hot weather plan, and determine work procedures for periods of elevated temperature.