IPOH: Assess and manage heat stress at the workplace to minimise impact of hot weather conditions, says Occupational Safety and Health Department (DOSH) deputy director-general (Occupational Health) Majahar Abd Rahman.
He said people can refer to the department’s Heat Stress Management at Workplace Guidelines to protect workers from suffering from heat stroke or other health conditions.
“Workers are not exempted from the impact of hot weather, especially those that work outside.
“There have already been a few reported cases of workers having heat stress and heat stroke,” Majahar said in a press conference after the flagging off of the OSH Fun Run@Ipoh Low Carbon Day by Buntong assemblyman M. Thulsi Thivani here on Sunday (April 28).
“We have the guideline to tackle the matter holistically,” he added.
The country has been hit by prolonged hot weather conditions this year since January.
Several states in the country have been under extreme weather conditions during the past months, with temperature exceeding 40°C in some locations.
Majahar said from the guideline, the people can learn to assess and quantify the issue.
He said there are heat stress instruments that can be used to evaluate the situation at a workplace.
According to the guideline, these instruments included dry bulb sensor, globe temperature sensor, air velocity sensor and natural wet bulb sensor.
“The tools can be used to determine the risk level, which could be low, medium or high.
“From there, the recommended counter measures can be implemented.
“These can include using automation to reduce impact from hot weather, using insulation to protect from heat or shielding workers from radiant heat at the workplace.
“Other measures include using a buddy system, having standard operating procedures for emergencies, work schedules, water breaks and encouraging regular health checks,” he added.
Source Agencies
