Heat Stress and Recovery
Cooling Down Is Part of the Job, Not Time Away from It
Heat strain can continue building after the hardest part of a task has finished, especially when protective clothing limits evaporation or the next job begins before the body has recovered. Thirst alone is not a reliable early warning. Safe heat management plans the work, recovery and observation together so that a worker does not carry an unseen heat burden into the next activity.
Controls to confirm
- Assess heat from weather, radiant sources, workload and protective clothing before work, then schedule demanding tasks, work-rest cycles and staffing for the actual conditions and individual acclimatisation.
- Provide accessible drinking water and a cooler shaded recovery area, encourage regular drinking and cooling before symptoms develop, and never use production pressure to shorten a required recovery period.
- Use a buddy system to recognise unusual fatigue, confusion, poor coordination, headache, nausea or faintness; stop exposure, begin the site response and obtain prompt medical help whenever heat illness is suspected.
Today’s action
Before the first heat-exposed task, verify the recovery location, drinking-water supply, work-rest plan, buddy pairs and the method for summoning medical assistance.
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