Heat Stress Caused by Wearing PPE

Health and other workers include agricultural, landscape, logging, forestry, and construction workers. Many other people work indoors and are exposed to radiant heat from hot surfaces or substances (such as molten metals) or process heat; for example, welders and metal fabricators and others who work in steel mills, foundries, mines, oil and gas facilities, and bakeries. Are not only at risk of becoming infected but of suffering potential serious heat stress-related illnesses as a result of wearing Personal Protective Equipment for many hours depending on the equipment worn.
Heat stress is an illness caused by a buildup of body heat that is produced by the environment (air temperature, humidity, air movement, and hot sources of radiation from the sun) combined with the physical exertion of the work and the clothing and equipment workers are wearing.
Heat stress is synonymous with physical and mental fatigue, reduces a person’s endurance and physical and cognitive performance. It has the potential to impact the decision-making skills and reaction times, affecting their ability to carry out their roles.
It may cause heat rash, which occurs when sweat ducts become blocked and sweat is trapped under the skin. The resulting inflammation produces symptoms such as small blisters, deep, red lumps, and an intense itchy feeling.

To optimize endurance and cognitive performance while wearing PPE, workers should include novel methods to know which is more appropriate for their workplace.
When the risk of excessive heat exposure has been identified in the workplace, then the employer, using the hierarchy of controls, should develop a heat stress program and take preventive measures. The risk of heat stress can be reduced by:

Lower their body’s core temperature at the onset of work and attenuate it during work.
Providing hydration stations and ensuring workers drink water regularly.
Controlling the exposure temperature.
Advice and adaptation on safely employing PPE in hot and humid conditions.
Heat adaptation programs for staff – training in person or using online and interactive materials.
Providing regular rest breaks in shaded or air-conditioned areas.

The company should also be prepared to provide first aid quickly, have a communication system, and have trained first responders.
When it is not possible to reduce the risk of heat stress to a safe level through engineering or administrative controls, for example, then cooling PPE should be used.
The most common material used was cotton, While cotton is a breathable fabric, it also absorbs moisture well and can become uncomfortable. Instead of using cotton, therefore, many cooling garments are made of “wicking” fabrics. These materials pull moisture away from the body and push it toward the surface of the fabric, where it can evaporate, thus helping to keep skin dry. Many wicking fabrics are made of high-tech polyester.
A material commonly used for cooling workwear is PVA – is extremely absorbent and can hold water for a long time.
Microfibre fabrics, cooling doesn’t last as long as with PVA, used to make towels, cooling neckbands, and bandanas, also retain water much more effectively than regular towel material. Moreover, microfibre is soft so it’s easy to wear against the skin for long periods.
Some manufacturers have started to combine PVA and microfibre or cotton to get both the long-lasting cooling properties of PVA and the softness of microfibre. These hybrid materials are used to make such garments as neck coolers, bandanas, and headbands.