Heat Stress and Fatigue

This course guides you about the risks of overheating when working in hot conditions and gives practical guidance on how to avoid it. The information is also applicable during the hot summer months where there may be an increased risk of heat stress for some people, but in many jobs heat stress is an issue all year round.

It explains the risks of overheating when working in hot conditions such as bakeries, compressed air tunnels, foundries and smelting operations. Heat stress occurs when the body’s means of controlling its internal temperature starts to fail. As well as air temperature, factors such as work rate, humidity and clothing worn while working may lead to heat stress.

Therefore, it may not be obvious to a person passing through the workplace that there is a risk of heat stress. You and your employees must be aware of how to work safely in heat, the factors that can lead to heat stress, and how to reduce the risk of it occurring.