ENGG*1070

Occupational Health and Safety

Lecture 15

Fall 2023

1
2
• Introduction

https://www.grainnet.com/facility-features/cold-weather-safety

https://stock.adobe.com/ca/images/cartoon-stick-drawing-conceptual-illustration-of-
man-standing-on-sun-in-hot-summer-weather-or-heat-and-holding-sign-with-will-work-
for-ice-cream-text-in-hand/217172124 3
• Introduction
• In Ontario, there are no specific regulations regarding heat
or cold stress,
• However, employers have a duty under section 25(2)(h) of
the Occupational Health and Safety Act to take every
precaution reasonable in the circumstances for the protection
of a worker.
• Ministry of Labour recommends the Threshold Limit
Values (TLVs) that are based on preventing un-acclimatized
workers‘ core temperatures from rising above 38°C.
4
• Introduction
• There are two primary kinds of safety considerations for
heat and cold:

1- One involves the thermal conditions in which people

live, work and play.

2- The other involves contact or near contact with hot

or cold .

• Thermal injuries are more common from exposure to heat.

• Injuries from exposure to cold are less frequent, but can
occur.
5
• Introduction
• Workplace thermal conditions:

Humans have internal thermal regulatory system. (like other

warm-blooded animals.)

➢ To be comfortable :
The rate at which the body produces metabolic heat must
balance with heat lost to the environment.

• Human body has limited means for adjusting the rate of

heat loss.

6
• Introduction
Workplace thermal conditions:

➢ Two mechanisms to increase body temperature:

1- increase the metabolism,
2- muscles tightening and relaxing (Shivering),

➢ Two mechanisms to reduce the body temperature:

1- Sweating,
2- Increased blood flow neat the skin can also
increase heat loss.
7
• Body Heat Exchange

8
• Heat Balance
• Rate of metabolic heat generation (M), should be
balanced with body heat exchange with environment through:

Convection (C), Radiation (R), and Evaporation (E).

• Heat exchange between the body and the environment

can be expressed in simplified form as:
➢ M + Heat absorption = Heat lost,
M= C+ R+E In cold weather,
M+C+R=E In warm weather,
➢ This equation would need to account for the effect of
clothing. 9
• Metabolism
• The produced body heat is determined by the activity being
performed.

• Cells in the body burn oxygen and nutrients in performing

their functions and heat is produced in the chemical process
of combustion,

• During sleep, the body of an average person burns

approximately 70 to 75 kcal/hr and converts it to heat,
whereas during very heavy exercise or work, 720 kcal/hr or
more of heat may be produced.

10
• Metabolism
• An average woman needs to eat about 2000 calories
per day to maintain weight .

• An average man needs to eat about 2500 calories to

maintain weight.

- 24hr * 70cal =1500 calories/day (Just to maintain body temperature)

- 500 calories for activities.

11
 • Convection

- Convection is the transfer of heat by movement of air over

the surface of a body.
- Heat exchange between the body and the surrounding air as
a result of air moving over the skin.
- Heat body transferred to the air (or Water) resulting in loss
of body heat.
12
 • Convection

C = 1.0 V0.6 (Ta – Ts)

Where:
C is convection heat transfer (kilocalories per hour),
V is air speed (meters per minute),
Ta is air temperature, dry bulb (degrees Celsius),
Ts is skin surface temperature (degrees Celsius),
13
• Radiation

14
 • Radiation

• Radiation is the transfer of heat to or from surrounding

objects that are not in direct contact with body.

When skin is left uncovered in a cold environment, heat is

radiated outward from the body to the environment.

R = 11.3 (Tw - Ts) (3)

Where:
R is radiation (kilocalories per hour),
Tw is mean radiant temperature of the solid
surroundings (degrees Celsius),
Ts is skin surface temperature (degrees Celsius),
15
• Evaporation

16
 • Evaporation

➢ Evaporation occurs as the body becomes hot and begin

to sweat. As the sweat evaporates from skin, the body is
cooled.

Emax = 2.0 V0.6 (PWs – PWa) (4)

Where:
Emax is the maximum evaporative heat loss (kilocalories per hour),
V is the air speed (meters per minute),
PWs is the vapor pressure of water at skin temperature
(millimeters of mercury),
PWa is the vapor pressure of water at air temperature
(millimeters of mercury),
17
• Body Heat Exchange

18
• Body Heat Exchange

M + Heat absorption = Heat lost,

M = C+ R+E In cold weather,
M+C+R =E In warm weather, 19
 • Heat Hazards
• Hazards can be grouped into two categories:
heat illnesses and burns
1. Heat illnesses mainly are caused by excessive
exposures to hot environments,
2. Burns result from contact with hot materials or
surfaces or from excessive irradiance of the skin by
heat-producing wavelengths of radiant energy,

20
 • Heat Hazards
1. Heat illnesses:
Excessive exposure to hot environments can result in :
• Behavioral changes,
• Elevated core temperature of the body,
• Failure of the temperature regulator mechanism,
• Circulatory failure,
• Depletion of water and body salts,
• Inflammation of sweat glands,

21
 • Heat Hazards
1. Heat illnesses:

• Heat stroke or sunstroke,

• Heat Hyperpyrexia,
• Heat Syncope,
• Heat Exhaustion or Heat Prostration,
• Heat Cramps,
• Heat Rash,
22
 • Heat Hazards
How to Treat Heat Stroke (heat controls)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0qwoOs1V5yg

23
 • Heat Hazards
- How to Treat Heat Stroke (heat controls)
1- Look for symptoms: dry skin, high body temperature, confusion.
2- Move the victim to a cool shading area, or air conditioned building.
3- Remove victim's clothing apply cool water to their skin, wrap
them in damp sheets (use a fan to accelerate cooling down the
body temp).
4- Provide cool drinking water (sports drink to supply sugar and salt).
5- Continue the treatment and measure temperature 101-102 F(38 oC).
6- Ask victim to lay down with their feet elevated.

24
 • Heat Hazards
- Burns
➢ Burn Classifications:
In the past, burns have been classified as first, second, or
third degree, based mainly on visual characteristics of the
wound. More recently, burns are classified into 4 categories.

25
 • Heat Hazards
- Burns
➢1st Degree. Superficial burn.
Burn Site : Red and dry skin, no blister,
mildly painful.

➢2nd Degree. Partial thickness

burn.
Burn Site : Red and moist, blister,
very painful. 26
 • Heat Hazards
- Burns
➢3rd Degree. Full thickness
burn.
Burn Site : White to brown, dry
leathery texture, little or no pain.

➢4th Degree. Extended to

muscle or bone.
Burn Site : Brown, dry, almost
painless. 27
 • Eliminate or remove the heat sources

• Reduce the temperature of hot

surfaces:
Example: In some operations, materials and
processes have temperatures that are higher
than necessary. Painting reflective walls to
eliminate the reflective lights.

• Keeping heat sources and hot

surfaces away from occupied areas.

Example: placing an oven in a separate room

can reduce the heat added to a work area.

28
• Eliminate or remove the heat sources

Case Study: Vdara Hotel in Las Vegas

https://www.businessinsider.com/the-vdara-death-ray-hotel-is-still-burning-people-
in-las-vegas-2016-6

29
• Eliminate or remove the heat sources

Windows are sending a hot ray onto the pool area

Pool area temperature 107.6 F
30
 • Eliminate or remove the heat sources

• Hotel has found a simple fix: umbrellas

31
 • Engineering Controls
▪ Shielding
Two types of shields can be used - reflective shields or
absorbent shields.

Example: Stainless steel, aluminum or other bright metal surfaces

reflect heat back towards the source.

Absorbent shields, such as water-cooled jackets made of black-

surfaced aluminum, can carry away heat.

▪ Insulation of Hot Surfaces

32
 • Engineering Controls
▪ Ventilation and Air Conditioning
· reduce the temperature and humidity through air cooling
· increase air movement (fans) if temperature is less than
35°C
· exhaust hot air and steam produced by specific operations.

▪ Reduction of Humidity
air conditioning or dehumidification and elimination of leaky
steam valves or open water baths present in the area.

▪ Mechanical Assistance
reduce physical demands of work task through mechanical
assistance (e. g., Lifting truck etc.)
33
 • Administrative Controls
• Work Schedules
Work in hot environments should be reserved for cooler times of
the day and year, whenever practicable.
• Work/rest Regimens
Appropriate work/rest regimens should be determined based on
values of the WBGT index in a given work environment.
• Pace of Work
If practicable, allow the worker to set their own pace of work to
reduce metabolic heat load.
Workers should be encouraged to take a rest break should any sign
of heat stress or heat disorder develop.
Encourage co-worker observation to detect signs and symptoms of
heat strain in others.
• Worker Assignment
Workers chosen for a given task should have the physical capacity
to perform it. 34
 • Protective Clothing (PPE)
• Hot Temperatures, Humid Environment
- Light clothing allow maximum skin exposure and sweat
evaporation.
- Avoid impermeable fabrics and use cotton fabrics.
- Light colored clothing.

• Hot Temperatures, Dry Environment

Adequate evaporation of sweat is seldom a problem
- Air, water or ice-cooled insulated clothing.

35
 • General Controls
• Provide training, written instructions and other
information about heat stress and strain,
• Provide cool areas for rest and recovery,
• Ensure an adequate supply of cool drinking water,
• Consider a heat acclimatization program,
• Counsel and monitor those who take medications,
• Encourage healthy life-styles,
• Consider a buddy system,

36
 • Question
-A pregnant woman had the duty of testing heater
elements’ temperature in the production line. The
supervisor assigned her a new task in the office area.

- What type of heat control was used by the supervisor

in this case?

37
• References

38
• Example (1):
In a cold day, the difference between the air and workers’ skin
temperature is 50 °𝐶. The metabolic rate of workers body is
assumed to be 2400 cal/day.
The employer is going to purchase a proper jacket for workers.
Based on the Clothing Insulation rate, which one would be a
proper choice?

39
• Example (2):
Which graph does correctly illustrate the wind-chill temperature
variation versus wind speed at air temperature of -30°C ?

40