Heat Stroke Is Deadly, 10 Things Employers Must Do For Outdoor Workers
(By Dr Vikram Vora)
With rising global temperatures and increasingly frequent heatwaves, outdoor workers have become one of the most vulnerable occupational groups. In countries like India, where outdoor labor drives sectors such as construction, agriculture, logistics, and utilities, preventing heat-related illnesses is no longer just best practice — it’s essential to business continuity and public health.
Employers must adopt a structured, medically informed approach to safeguard their workforce from heat stress. The following strategies outline actionable steps that organisations can implement, in collaboration with occupational health professionals, to minimise heat-related risks:
1. Assess Individual Risk Factors:
Begin with comprehensive health screenings to identify conditions that increase susceptibility to heat stress—such as diabetes, heart disease, hypertension, obesity, and a prior history of heat-related illness.
Certain medications (e.g., diuretics, beta-blockers, antihistamines, psychotropics) can impair the body's ability to regulate temperature. Employees on these medications should be evaluated for possible shift modifications or reassignment during peak heat periods.
2. Use Heat Stress Indices, Not Just Temperature:
Temperature alone doesn’t reflect heat risk. Use the Wet Bulb Globe Temperature (WBGT), which accounts for humidity, wind, sunlight, and ambient temperature. With WBGT data, tailored work-rest cycles and hydration protocols can be designed to suit job intensity and worker profiles, enabling more precise interventions.
3. Make Hydration A Priority:
Dehydration is both an early sign and a major contributor to heat-related illness. Encourage workers to drink 250 ml of water every 15-20 minutes while on duty outdoors.
In high-risk zones, provide electrolyte solutions or Oral Rehydration Salts (ORS). Use visual aids like urine color charts to monitor hydration levels, and set up hydration reminders as part of the daily work routine.
4. Design Safe Work-Rest Schedules:
Implement structured breaks based on WBGT levels and the physical intensity of tasks. For instance, if WBGT exceeds 30°C, ensure a 15-minute rest every hour.
Breaks should be taken in shaded or air-cooled areas. Where possible, reschedule strenuous work away from the midday heat window (11 AM to 4 PM).
5. Offer Heat-Specific Training:
Equip employees with the skills to recognise and respond to early symptoms of heat illness. Mandatory training sessions should include:
- Recognising signs like confusion, red or dry skin, rapid pulse, or cessation of sweating
- Immediate cooling methods and emergency response steps
- Peer monitoring through a buddy system for early detection of symptoms
6. Install Cooling And Rest Infrastructure:
Provide shaded rest zones, mobile misting stations, fans, and water dispensers at worksites. In indoor settings, improve ventilation, insulate heat-emitting surfaces, and apply heat-reducing window films.
Occupational health experts and safety officers should jointly ensure these spaces support recovery and reduce heat strain.
7. Reevaluate Uniforms And PPE:
Clothing should aid, not hinder, heat regulation. Opt for breathable, light-colored cotton uniforms. Where personal protective equipment (PPE) is mandatory, rotate shifts to reduce prolonged exposure, and explore heat-mitigating gear like cooling vests or moisture-wicking fabrics.
HR teams and health advisors should co-design workwear policies aligned with climate risks.
8. Adjust Shifts To Cooler Hours:
Stagger work hours or start shifts earlier in the day to avoid peak heat times. Shifting heavy tasks to early mornings or evenings reduces risk, maintains productivity, and minimises medical emergencies and absenteeism.
9. Ensure Access To Medical Follow-up:
Any worker affected by heat exhaustion or heat stroke should undergo proper medical evaluation—including hydration status, kidney function, and cardiovascular health—before returning to work.
Mandatory clearance ensures complete recovery and helps prevent recurrence or long-term damage.
10. Embed Heat Protection In Workplace Policy:
Make heat risk management a part of your safety culture. This includes:
- WBGT-based scheduling
- Hydration and rest protocols
- Annual summer health checkups
- Heat-specific first-aid training
- Designated first responders on all sites
Regular audits and updates, in collaboration with medical professionals and climate data experts, will keep these measures effective and relevant.
As extreme heat becomes a year-round concern rather than a seasonal one, proactive strategies are essential. Health and safety teams must partner with clinicians to turn policies into life-saving practices. Protecting outdoor workers is not only an ethical responsibility but a strategic imperative for resilient, sustainable operations.
Dr Vikram Vora is Medical Director, International SOS.
[Disclaimer: The information provided in the article, including treatment suggestions shared by doctors, is intended for general informational purposes only. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.]
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