Company and contractor have a joint commitment to health risk management stated in health polices and should develop a health management system which needs to be based on a full and careful appraisal of the health hazards to which personnel will be exposed. One of these health hazards is the climate in which people live and work. A set of guidelines on cold has been prepared for member companies of the Exploration and Production Forum. Future guidelines are in preparation concerning work in hot climates. Work in the cold poses a certain number of acute daily problems. As long as the employee is in a protected environment (base, housing, camp), the risk is minimal. However, as soon as he or she steps out into the extreme cold, he or she is exposed to a large number of potential problems. These guidelines, which target line management as well as the company health professionals, aim at preventing accidents, illness and loss of life by providing useful information. It is important to remember that these guidelines are primarily aimed at the protection and maintenance of health and that, in certain situations, additional measures may be required to ensure effective and efficient performance. Staying healthy in the cold for days and weeks is possible, providing one is physically and mentally prepared and has access to the correct equipment. However, one's condition is also dependant on the application of sensible precautions based on knowledge of the local conditions and of personal limitations.
The OGP Health Subcommittee has issued guidelines, which target both line management and the company health professionals, to reduce health risk while working in the heat. Work in dry or moist heat poses a number of hazards Health related problems due to the heat might appear at various temperatures. Although this document is intended primarily for desert and jungle regions, it is not limited only to these conditions. Different aspects of preventing heat-related health problems are presented. The brain cannot survive when its temperature exceeds 44–45°C (113 °F). When the blood's temperature rises above 37°C (98.6°F), special centres in the brain initiate the body's heat control mechanisms Lack of water replacement, or dehydration, is the major factor in most heat disorders.Drink regularly even if not thirsty.The routine use of salt tablets is not recommended. The document gives general and specific advice on how to improve employee awareness through education and training. Recommendations for managing and reducing heat exposure on the work site and how to optimise the medical organisations are given. Health problems due to extreme heat and humidity are defined and described in some detail. The heat may exacerbate psychological conditions. Conditions that are more thoroughly described are: transient heat fatigue, heat syncope, hyperthermia, heat cramp, heat exhaustion, hyperpyrexia or heat stroke, dehydration, muscle related problems and skin related problems. Introduction This guideline is prepared for OGP members and aim at preventing all incidents that being injuries, illnesses or fatalities. It addresses line managers as well as company health professionals. The basics of body temperature: The body functions generating heat are called metabolic factors. As workload increase heat generated by the body must be evacuated. Air temperature, heat radiating from the sun, air speed and humidity are calledenvironmental factors. They areaffecting the body'stemperature as it works.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.
hi@scite.ai
10624 S. Eastern Ave., Ste. A-614
Henderson, NV 89052, USA
Copyright © 2024 scite LLC. All rights reserved.
Made with 💙 for researchers
Part of the Research Solutions Family.