Quick Links:
Prevention of heat illness is important, particularly during summer months when ambient temperatures are commonly above 40˚C with high humidity levels. Heat-related illnesses occur when the body is not able to lose enough heat to off-set the heat generated by physical work and external heat sources.
This causes fatigue and impairs mental and physical performance, which can compromise safety and can even be fatal. Most often laboratory users are not exposed to high ambient temperatures, but they could be during field research activities.
It is, therefore, necessary to have knowledge of the conditions that can cause heat illness, and also the precautionary measures that are necessary to prevent heat illness conditions. Heat illnesses are preventable if you know and implement preventative action.
