The boy who cried wolf. Christine Killip Managing Director Katestone

Transcription

1 The boy who cried wolf Christine Killip Managing Director Katestone

2 Which is worse for heat stress? Condition A 44 C Temp 25% RH 5 m/s Wind Based on TWL Condition B 29 C Temp 75% RH 0.2 m/s Wind

3 Presentation Scope Outdoor workers What causes heat stress How can it be managed? Health and Safety benefits

4 Are our current practices working? Is excessive heat exposure an existing threat to health of working people in the Australian context 95% experienced excessive heat at work 75% experienced heat exhaustion at work 35% indicated heat exhaustion was frequent 100% indicated that heat caused a loss in productivity Source: Singh et al (2013)

5 Does it cost us? in the three years to July 2011 there were 497 claims for workplace fatigue and heat stroke at a cost of $4.3 million to the NSW Workers Compensation Scheme - WorkCover NSW

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7 Safety Safety Safety Fatigue, short term memory loss, increased errors, unsafe behaviour and risk of injury Increased accident rate in construction industry during summer months

8 Ø Management of early signs of heat stress can result in improved safety Ø Work rest regimes can result in increased productivity Rowlinson et al 2013

9 What is heat stress?

10 How do we keep our cool? Ø Conduction Ø Convection Ø Radiation Ø Evaporation

11 How do we keep our cool? Unrestricted evaporation of sweat lets healthy people cope - without ill effect or even marked discomfort - with air temperatures of 100 C in saunas and 50 C in deserts, and with more than a kilowatt of metabolic heat in strenuous activity. - Budd (2008)

12 You can lead a horse to water No Water Water to Satisfy Thirst Water every 15 mins equal to Sweat loss Hours Marched Experiment stopped after 6 Distance Marched 16 mi 19 mi 16 mi Rectal temperature Result Adapted from Pitt et al 1944 >39 C rising C rising Heat Exhaustion Impending heat exhaustion 38 C Stable Subjects stated he could have easily marched all day

13 Developed by: The Cattle Heat Load Toolbox is an online service that provides: 1. Risk assessment programs Recognised by: 2. Management and mitigation options for reducing risk 3. Early warning system for high heat load conditions

14 1. Reduced weatherrelated risk 2. Optimised planning & reduce downtime 3. Protects workers 4. Simplified complex systems for easier comprehension

15 Easy to use Web App with custom alerts and reporting Delivers target advice using weather intelligence Online assessment of control options Data dashboards What is KITE?

16 Global Local BIG Data K-NWS high resolution weather forecasts We generate over 40 billion data points, every 12 hours! Delivering site specific forecasts

17 The Thermal Work Limit (TWL) All Australian heat stress index for workers The Thermal Work Limit (TWL) Maximum sustainable metabolic rate For well-hydrated self paced workers To maintain a safe deep core body temperature and sweat rate Is a Rational index based on the human heat balance, clothing and environmental factors Source: D.Brake & G.Bates (2002)

18 Temperature ( C) Current risk area Hydrated self paced workers can work unrestricted Heat Stress indicator (TWL (W/m 2 ))

19 KITE can help you with Advanced warning of actual heat stress conditions

20 Easy to evaluate possible control options

21 Easy to understand and implement actions linked to forecast conditions

22 Be PROACTIVE not REACTIVE with prior warning of heat events you can: Schedule heavy work loads Provide controls if possible Ensure time critical work has more resources if needed Ensure workers have sufficient water with them to equal the predicted sweat rate Undertake hydration testing only when needed Once workers are dehydrated its too late

23 Toolbox Report Customised reports delivered daily to your inbox with clear warning (immediate and near term) and actions

24 KITE can provide you with confidence you are providing the right warnings to receive maximum attention No more crying wolf!

25 Lot s to consider

26 Heat Stress Management Comprehensive guide to management of Heat Stress. Provides a three stage process dependent on the severity and complexity of the situation

27 Heat Risk - Cessnock Dec Nov Oct Sep Aug Jul Jun May Apr Mar Feb Jan Moderate High Very High

28 Is it time to review your heat stress management?

29 Thank you for listening Any questions?