19 Jul Gas & Oil employees face extreme heat stress exposure
Heat stress is the name of the occurrence when the body can no longer regulate its internal temperature and as a result begins struggling through other adverse symptoms, such as heat strokes, exhaustion, cramps or skin rashes.
Heat stress also can lead to an increase in the likelihood of injury. Workers who are fatigued and sweating, suffering from dizziness often struggle to maintain safety procedures – these are further symptoms of heat stress.
Readers of Fire Middle East Magazine more than likely know at least one, gas, fire or oil industry worker. Those within these industries face a far greater exposure to heat stress than those in other industries.
What can be done?
Regulatory boards around the world, and those operating within the Middle East, have a burden of responsibility.
Between 2015 and 2019, heat-related illnesses caused 73 construction worker fatalities and 11,500 serious injuries that required days away from work.
To counter this, regulations must be continually updated to match the needs of employees, as well as their wants. Water and the ability to cool down must be accessible to those within these industries. At the moment, in sites around the world, it is not.
The National Institute for Safety and Health (NIOSH) found that workers within many industries, including oil, gas and the food industry are all facing a higher risk of heat-related illnesses than those with counterparts in manufacturing.