How warm is the office where you work? Excessive heat is a year-round issue in some sectors and environments, such as professional bakeries and kitchens, smelting operations, foundries, and others. In some places, it's primarily a problem in the summer, when the outside temperature can rise and establishments may not have the necessary cooling systems in place. Heat stress can be brought on by an overly heated work environment for certain people.

In essence, this is the point at which the body's temperature-regulating systems begin to malfunction, raising the body's core temperature. It's crucial to stay cool at work because the symptoms of heat stress can get worse the longer a person works in these conditions. Increased heart rate, extreme thirst or dehydration, cramping in the muscles, difficulty concentrating, heat rash, and fainting are some symptoms.

Heat exhaustion, which manifests as wet skin, nausea, giddiness, exhaustion, and headaches in more extreme situations, can result from heat stress. Heatstroke can cause confusion, dry, hot skin, convulsions, loss of consciousness, and, if untreated, may even result in death if left untreated. Considering all of this, it becomes evident why maintaining composure at work is crucial.

1. MAINTAIN HIGHER FLUID LEVELS

Although it should go without saying, staying properly hydrated is essential if you want to prevent heat stress at work. Heat stress is much more likely to occur if your body doesn't replenish the water it loses through perspiration while working in a hot environment. If there isn't currently cold drinking water available at your place of employment, enquire about whether it can be provided or bring your own. When at all possible, sip it before, during, and after work at regular intervals.

2. SELECT COOLING EQUIPMENT

Your ability to stay cool at work can be greatly impacted by the work clothes you choose for hot weather. Although there might be restrictions on what you can wear, keep in mind that there are many options for workwear and personal protective equipment that can reduce heat. When buying clothes, try to find items with breathable fabrics and think about getting ones with built-in cooling systems. Special cooling technology is used in the Portwest cooling range, which includes cooling neck scarves, headwear, vests, sleeves, and more, to maintain a low temperature. To stay cool without getting the rest of your clothes wet, just soak the item in water to activate it, wring out the excess, and wear.

3. CONTROL YOUR EXPOSURE TO HOTTER SETTLEMENTS

Working in hot conditions can occasionally not be avoided because it is an essential component of the job. However, companies do have the ability to control how long employees are exposed to these high temperatures. This could be putting a temperature limit on some areas, prohibiting workers from entering if the temperature rises above a predetermined point, or it could mean using machines to handle work during hotter periods. Those who work in hot climates or in environments where full recovery is possible might be granted longer breaks.

4. SELECT UV-PROTECTING WORKWEAR 

Even on days when it doesn't seem to be that strong, the sun can have a big impact on your body temperature if you're working outside. It goes without saying that you should use sunscreen, but have you given any thought to selecting work clothes that have UV protection built in? Wearing UPF-rated clothing helps shield your skin from UVA and UVB rays by preventing UV radiation from getting through. It will help prevent sunburn and other sun-related ailments like sunspots, early wrinkles, and cancer in addition to providing you with improved protection against heat stress. Make sure to check the UPF protection level of the clothing and look for UV workwear that will shield you from UVA and UVB rays. UPF 15-20 provides decent protection as a general rule of thumb; however, if you want something stronger, choose a rating of 25–35. Instead, aim for 40-50 or more for the maximum amount of protection. You can choose from a variety of UV workwear options, including work shorts and hi-vis vests.

5. GET INFORMATION ON HEAT STRESS

Naturally, preventing heat stress is preferable to treating it, but whether you work in a hot environment frequently or not, it's crucial that everyone you interact with understands the signs and symptoms of heat stress, its causes, how to protect yourself from it, and what to do if it occurs. It's crucial that younger and less experienced employees are aware of all of this because they may be less accustomed to hot conditions than more seasoned workers, which could make heat stress a bigger problem. It is imperative that your organisation conducts a risk assessment as soon as possible to determine which employees are most vulnerable to heat stress, such as those with pre-existing cardiac conditions or those who are pregnant. In order to lower the chance of heat stress or heat stroke occurring in the first place and to be prepared to handle it as soon as it does, it's something that should be reviewed whenever the working environment and the workers on site change. The workplace will be a happier, healthier, and hopefully cooler place to work if the proper measures are taken to prevent heat stress! Check out the selection of workwear we have at Work Wear Club if you want to reduce the possibility that heat stress will become a problem at work