heat stroke

[dangeruss]

One of the MSS scaffs on the site we are working on in Northampton has just been stretchered off site with heat stroke, not concious in the last 1/2 hour.

He was wearing full length trousers, full length shirt, harness, gloves ,helmet, glasses and a hi-viz in 30 degree heat ! he looked great on that stretcher with all that ppe on, isn't it about time that construction companys let the guys on site doing the work wear shorts and t-shirts if THEY want to in this heat ? got to be better than killing yourself with heat stroke, or am I being silly.

 

[Dave_Ja_Vu]

Agree with you, PPE should be task specific not mandatory across the board.

Been out on the spanners myself building an abseil tower for charity and got scorched to buggery, feel sorry for the poor buggers having to wear the full monty all day.

Dave.

 

[Rigger]

Dangeruss
always a bad day when anyone ends up being stretchered off site while trying to earn a living.
I have worked in some very hot places over the years found combination of boots,socks,large overall (light fabric) underpants optional, the minimal gear I could get away without getting locked up.

The harness,does restrict the air flow these days,are the high vis, glasses and gloves reqired for safety or just a site requirement ?

Clearly the heat has become a hazard.A risk assessment should have been made and controls put in place.

Hope the guy makes a full recovery

Heat stroke
Is due to an environmental exposure to heat, resulting in an abnormally high body temperature. In severe cases, temperatures can exceed 40 °C (104 °F).] Heat stroke may be exertional or non-exertional, depending on whether the person has been exercising in the heat. Significant physical exertion on a very hot day can generate heat beyond a healthy body's ability to cool itself, because the heat and humidity of the environment reduces the efficiency of the body's normal cooling mechanisms. Other factors, such as drinking too little water, can exacerbate the condition. Non-exertional heat stroke is typically precipitated by medications that reduce vasodilation, sweating, and other heat-loss mechanisms, such as anticholingeric drugs, antihistamines, and diuretics. In this situation, the body's tolerance for the excessive environmental temperatures can be too limited to cope with the heat, even while resting.

 

[XxIANxX]

One of the MSS scaffs on the site we are working on in Northampton has just been stretchered off site with heat stroke, not concious in the last 1/2 hour.

He was wearing full length trousers, full length shirt, harness, gloves ,helmet, glasses and a hi-viz in 30 degree heat ! he looked great on that stretcher with all that ppe on, isn't it about time that construction companys let the guys on site doing the work wear shorts and t-shirts if THEY want to in this heat ? got to be better than killing yourself with heat stroke, or am I being silly.

.
Hope he's ok mate

 

[Dandaps]

Worked on GMEX last summer in Manchester with all the PPE on it was hot and I couldn't see a thing with sweat running all over my safety specs. At end of the day we could barely stand working 8 till 5.30. Must say though the worst heat I felt was in Royal Brewery in the boiler and brew houses the heat would get trapped at the ceiling and the steel was hot :embarrest:to touch. Used to complain all the time and was just told to get on with it.

 

[Bigbadbob]

Heat stroke, yes very serious, however there are many ways to prevent this, drink at least 5 litres of water a day, drink dehydration formulars before you start work, take a break every hour, and cool down in a shaded area, take a change of clothing to work and change during breaks, if you stop sweating, that is the danger sign stop work and report to the medical or first aid station, if possible and i know its not for alot of guys, dont work during the midday hours, dont drink tea,coffe, alchol, all these will speed up dehaydration, 8 years in Dubai working in temps up to 50 c, i know i thing or 2.

 

[dangeruss]

Worked on GMEX last summer in Manchester with all the PPE on it was hot and I couldn't see a thing with sweat running all over my safety specs. At end of the day we could barely stand working 8 till 5.30. Must say though the worst heat I felt was in Royal Brewery in the boiler and brew houses the heat would get trapped at the ceiling and the steel was hot :embarrest:to touch. Used to complain all the time and was just told to get on with it.

Tufty and I worked at Radcliffe in the summer of 1992, we were striking a unit beam walkway into one of the stacks it was absolutley boiling and we had to wear overalls, we got the demolition guys to hose us down from 50ft below ,we were so hot we didn't care about getting washed off the beams.The guy from MSS will be ok I think the main contractor is very safety concious but i think in these conditions they should put common sense before rigid rules, there don't seem to be rules for extreme heat whereas there are for extreme cold, anyone know why ?

---------- Post added at 06:06 PM ---------- Previous post was at 06:03 PM ----------

Heat stroke, yes very serious, however there are many ways to prevent this, drink at least 5 litres of water a day, drink dehydration formulars before you start work, take a break every hour, and cool down in a shaded area, take a change of clothing to work and change during breaks, if you stop sweating, that is the danger sign stop work and report to the medical or first aid station, if possible and i know its not for alot of guys, dont work during the midday hours, dont drink tea,coffe, alchol, all these will speed up dehaydration, 8 years in Dubai working in temps up to 50 c, i know i thing or 2.

My brothers out in Iraq looking for oil as we speak 50 degrees in the shade and he's sleeping in a tent ,the temp goes down to near freezing at night Fu*ked up place or what.

 

[paul]

I totally agree but did the gang he was working in not see the signs . For me you work with guys for along time and you get to know them well and you can tell when somebody in the gang is pissed off or unhappy or even happier so we should be able to pick up the signs of heat stoke .'Buddy system'

 

[VancouverLeedsLondonBoy]

take a break every hour.

Hahahaha, best joke i have heard in years Bob, keep em coming :laugh:

 

[Bigbadbob]

If you think that heat stroke is a joke, you should try talking to some of the people that have experianced it, maybe if you had a bout of it yourself you would not find it so funny, prevention is better than cure, and i just highlighted some methods of avoiding heat stroke, what do you find so funny, dont think your reply will go down to well here buddy, have a nice day.

 

[olongapo]

Hahahaha, best joke i have heard in years Bob, keep em coming :laugh:

I think he may be referring to the well known fact that the only chance expats in the Middle East have of getting heat stroke is if the air conditioning in the club or bar breaks down lol

 

[fredscaff]

I think he may be referring to the well known fact that the only chance expats in the Middle East have of getting heat stroke is if the air conditioning in the club or bar breaks down lol

Thats not strictly true mate. I know lots of expats who have been out on site in tremendous heat. Ok they might not be pumping up 21s but they cover miles on construction sites that make the average UK one look like the tea hut.

 

[RedViking]

One of the MSS scaffs on the site we are working on in Northampton has just been stretchered off site with heat stroke, not concious in the last 1/2 hour.

He was wearing full length trousers, full length shirt, harness, gloves ,helmet, glasses and a hi-viz in 30 degree heat ! he looked great on that stretcher with all that ppe on, isn't it about time that construction companys let the guys on site doing the work wear shorts and t-shirts if THEY want to in this heat ? got to be better than killing yourself with heat stroke, or am I being silly.

Found these on Construction Gear: Work Boots, Carhartt Clothing, Gloves, Overalls as you can see they are gonna keep your head real cool .
''Keep your workers' heads cool with Miracool hard hat inserts. This hard hat pad fits snugly in your hard hat. Miracool hard hat pads help you stay cool on hot days! Just soak in cold water for 10-20 minutes and it stays hydrated for several days. Reusable thousands of times. Works without freezing or ice.''

I have the neckacheif type a bit like the bandana but sits round the neck

 

[Bigbadbob]

Nice one Fred

 

[DECROMAX]

Try working in a refinery with the added heat from red hot pipes. We have something called a wet bulb test which indicates how long you can work in a environment for. Usually work 30mins on the job and 15 out. They also provide air con cabins throughout the summer and for hot jobs.