Health Aspects of Work in Extreme Climates within the E&P Industry: the Heat

Abstract

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.