Heat stress and heat stroke

Heat stress is common during Australian heat waves. Hot weather places extra strain on your body as it tries to cool itself to its preferred temperature of 37C.  Farmers working outside, or in farm buildings or sheds which have poor cooling methods, are at particular risk. Older people (aged 65 years and over) are at greater risk as your sense of thirst decreases and your kidneys are not as able to conserve body water as easily. There are three stages of heat stress: heat cramps, heat exhaustion and heat stroke.

Heat stroke is a medical emergency and occurs when you become dehydrated and your body temperature rises above 40.5C. Heat stroke is fatal in up to 80% of cases. If you work in a hot environment you should drink plenty of water, try to stay indoors during the hottest part of the day and develop a heat stroke prevention plan.

Preventing heat stress

Symptoms of heat exhaustion include dizziness, headache, sweaty skin, rash and a weak fast pulse.  These signs occur when a person becomes dehydrated and people have difficulty keeping themselves cool. If you are organising a large event or sports activity, working in a hot environment or firefighting, you should develop a heat stroke prevention plan and learn to recognise the early signs of heat exhaustion.

Planning for hot days:

Plan your outdoor work so you can work in the cool of the day (early morning or evening).  Use shade cloth when working outdoors or under roofs in stockyards, and move hot equipment and engines away from where people are.  Wear light cool clothing and a hat but ensure skin coverage to protect from UV radiation. Know what your policy is for workers to stop working during days of heat.

Find out more about this topic on Better Health Channel and review the information provided by the Bureau of Meteorology. You can also:

• subscribe to the heat health alerts, advisories and newsletters for regular monitoring of outdoor weather conditions through the Health Vic website
• download and subscribe to the VicEmergency App
• set up a ‘watch zone’ as per advice within the VicEmergency App, to receive these heat health alerts.

Signs of Health stress:

Fainting, heat exhaustion, heat cramps, heat fatigue, worsening of pre-existing illnesses and conditions.

Signs and symptoms of heat illness include feeling sick, nauseous, dizzy or weak.

Serious signs are clumsiness, collapse and convulsions (fitting) which may be experienced as a result of heat illness. Anyone with these signs or symptoms needs to seek immediate medical attention.

• Remember Heat stroke is a medical emergency, ring triple zero (000) if someone with you is not physically coping with the heat.

Fast facts:

Heat stress and heat stroke

• There are three stages to heat stress – heat cramps, heat exhaustion, and heat stroke.
• Heat stroke occurs when the body’s core temperature rises above 40.5 degrees Celsius.
• Heat stroke is a medical emergency, ring triple zero (000) if someone with you is not physically coping with the heat.
• Avoid working outdoors in the hottest times of the day, drink plenty of water, and stay in a cool place.
• Make sure you keep up to date with heat alerts.