Health Authority Abu Dhabi
Safety in the Heat Programme
Darren Joubert
Occupational and Environmental Health
Public Health & Research Dept.
What we will cover…
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Aim of the Safety in Heat Programme
Impact
What is available
Information for HSE professionals
– Assessment of Heat Stress – TWL
– Control and Prevention of Heat related Illness
Information for Supervisors
Information for Workers – Key points
Heat exposure during Ramadan
More information
Conclusion
Aim of the programme:
• To raise awareness of the dangers of heat exposure amongst the
target groups and prevention and;
• provide support and health promotion materials to raise awareness
of the issue, increase education and training
• Support the EHSMS Sector Regulatory Authorities and Entities and
the Ministry of Labour summer initiatives
Target groups
Primary target audience:
• Health and Safety Personnel in all Industrial sectors
Secondary target audiences:
• Employers, CEO’s, Business Owners, Supervisors ;
• Heat exposed workers from different language groups
Safety in Heat programme - Impact 2009
• 465 Companies registered in the programme and received materials
• The companies employ 800 000+ workers exposed to heat
• In 4500 worksites and 1800 labour camp sites
Number of worksites and labour camps covered
5000
4500
4000
3500
3000
2500
2000
1500
1000
500
0
Totals
No of Worksites
No of Labour Camps
4460
1794
Reduction in Heat Illness - examples
Company
A
n = 1371 workers
B
51 million man hours
worked in 2009
Percentage decrease
79.5% decrease in heat
related treatment and
emergency cases
50% reduction in
serious heat illness
cases
The programme so far….
• Launched on the 20th May 2009 in collaboration with the
Ministry of Labour
• Was evaluated in 2010 and some amendments to the graphics
and style were made and additional resources added such as
different language materials and Ramadan posters
• Has been re-launched for summer 2011
• Is to become part of the Abu Dhabi EHSMS regulatory
framework
What is available?
• All companies registered in the programme from anywhere can
download all materials free of charge of the website and print
their own copies
• All Abu Dhabi companies are able to collect free materials from
HAAD in hardcopy
• Materials includes information for HSE professionals,
supervisors and workers including posters and pamphlets
Wide range of resources available
DVD/CD Sets
Assessment of Heat Stress
• The Thermal Work Limit (TWL), which has been validated for
gulf conditions, is the heat stress index that is recommended by
HAAD to enable the safe management of work in heat.
• It gives a measure of the maximum safe work rate for the
conditions. If TWL is too low then even low rates of work cannot
safely be carried out continuously.
• TWL is calculated from environmental parameters assuming that
workers are well hydrated and acclimatised to the conditions
and are self paced.
Interventions for TWL Zones
Practical Control Solutions
• Establish and enforce work in heat protocols and procedures
• Inform and train workers and supervisors to recognize heat stress
symptoms and to control heat exposure.
• Training should be conducted in a language
understood by the worker and should include:
• How the body overheats,
• symptoms of heat illness,
• acclimatization,
• work pacing and
• the importance of rest breaks and affects of clothing
• Implement First-Aid measures for heat-related disorders
• Encouraging good hydration (drinking 2 litres of water every 2-3
hours, drinking on the bus before work etc.)
Provision of preventative measures
• Provide workers with adequate amounts of drinking water
close to the workplace and if possible electrolyte replacement
drinks. Programmed drinking every hour can be implemented
to encourage adequate fluid intake.
• Provide workers with appropriate clothing and personal
protective equipment where applicable including a large
personal water container (of at least 1-2 litres in size).
• Allow workers to self pace where applicable and take rests
when they can to cool down.
Acclimatisation and medical issues
• Allow non-acclimatized workers (new arrivals or workers
returning from vacation) time to acclimatize for 5-7 days
before starting hard work in a hot environment in
summer.
• Before working in hot conditions, pre-placement
training (safety induction) should be given.
• Provide medical clearance for work in heat for any
person with a chronic medical condition (e.g. high blood
pressure, obesity) or requiring the use of certain
prescription drugs (consult a doctor).
Engineering controls
• Insulation of ceilings to minimize solar heat
transfer
• Providing shaded work areas
• Providing cooled and air-conditioned rest areas
with water or electrolyte drinks available
• Using exhaust ventilation such as extraction hoods
above heat-generating processes like a furnace or
oven to remove heat
• Using forced air-ventilation such as fans to increase
airflow across the skin and increase evaporation
and cooling
For Supervisors…
Information pamphlets in
different languages
covering:
• What happens to the
body when it is exposed
to heat
• How heat exposure
affects a worker –
symptoms
• Prevention of Heat
Illness – What you as a
supervisor should do
15
For Workers – Key Points to Remember
16
Key point 1…Drinking enough water
How do you know?
IMPORTANT POINTS TO REMEMBER……
• To come to work fully hydrated (drink plenty of water
before you get to work at least 1 Litre).
• To drink plenty of water during the shift at least 2 litres
every 2-3 hours in summer (or rehydration fluid
approved by the employer one to one).
• Remind them if they drink water only when thirsty it is
too late.
• To carry a water container with you of at least 1-2 litres
to fill regularly.
Key point 2…Salt Replacement
POINTS to REMEMBER:
• If electrolyte replacement drinks are provided there is no
need to add extra salt to your meals
• If someone has high blood pressure they should be checked
by a doctor before working in heat or increasing salt intake
• If electrolyte drinks are consumed then they should alternate
with a drink of water one to one over the day
Key point 3…Rest and Recovery
Self-pace
work – do not
push beyond
the bodies
limits.
Allow time at night to
recover from the heat
stress during the day
Provide a well
balanced health
diet to help the
body to recover –
avoid coffee, cola
and high sugar
and fatty foods
Key point 4…Heat Illness
Signs of Heat Illness:
Encourage the reporting of all signs of
heat illness to the supervisor (feeling
faint, dizziness, fatigue, headache,
nausea, vomiting, cramps).
REMEMBER: HEAT ILLNESS CAN KILL SO BE AWARE!
What to do during Ramadan….
POINTS to REMEMBER:
• Try avoid heat exposure as much as possible
during Ramadan
• Monitor for signs of heat illness such as skin
rashes, dizziness, headaches
• Start the day well hydrated – for Suhoor with
your meal eat fruits, vegetables and drink
plenty of water and unsweetened fruit juice
• Avoid salty foods at Suhoor
• Drink water and fruit juices at Iftar before
eating
• Avoid strenuous activity and rest in a cool
place where possible
23
Responsibilities of Employers
• Heat exposure and heat stroke can be fatal if proper
controls are not implemented.
• Employers have a legal responsibility to protect the
health of their workers as stipulated by the UAE
Labour Law (Federal Law No. 8 of 1980).
• Follow the Ministry of Labour Ministerial Resolution
587 for the midday break in summer
15 June – 15 September 2011
More Information
www.haad-safe.ae
www.ar.haad-safe.ae
Company Registration Online
FREE Access to Online Resources
Other Free Resources Available
3,017+ cases of heat-related illness seen
at HCFs in Abu Dhabi Emirate, 2010
Heat Related Illness Cases
3500
3017
3000
2500
2025
2000
1500
Heat Related Illness
1000
829
500
122
88
0
HEAT
HEAT STROKE
EXHAUSTION
HEAT
SYNCOPE
PRICKLY HEAT
TOTAL
Thank you
0
