Topic
Heat Stress
Health effects of excessive environmental or metabolic heat.
Documents
- 202516 Jun
Heat Stress Hazard Alert
This alert explains heat-related illness symptoms and occupational and personal risk factors for oil and gas extraction workers. It outlines employer, supervisor and worker responsibilities, covering acclimatisation, work–rest schedules, hydration, cooling areas, buddy systems, protective clothing, medical screening and training to recognise and respond to heat illness.
- 2025May
Know the signs of heat illness — Process Safety Beacon, May 2025
This bulletin uses a fatal heat-illness incident on a New York road construction project to explain workplace heat risks. It discusses dehydration, indoor heat exposure and heat retained by protective clothing, recommending frequent water intake, monitoring colleagues, gradual exposure and scheduling strenuous work for cooler periods where possible.
- 202523 Jan
Accident to chief engineer on board motor yacht Baton Rouge with loss of 1 life
Investigation of a chief engineer’s fatal electrocution during ventilation damper actuator replacement aboard Baton Rouge in Antigua. It examines work on a live circuit, unused permit arrangements, heat, inadequate monitoring and rescue planning, and conflicting enclosed-space definitions. Management revised its procedures; the report makes no recommendations.
- 202416 Jul
BSEE Safety Alert 486 - Heat Advisory
BSEE alerts offshore workers to heat exhaustion and heat stroke, outlining symptoms, preventive measures and treatment. It recommends that operators and contractors, where appropriate, consider employee advice, periodic rest breaks, stop-work authority and job safety analysis using the OSHA-NIOSH Heat Safety Tool. The information does not replace professional medical advice.
- 202316 Oct
BSEE: Heat-related Illnesses occurring offshore
This safety flash summarises BSEE reports of offshore heat-related illness, including dehydration and severe heat exhaustion. It describes fluids, rest, medical evaluation and evacuation in two cases, and explains how high temperatures and humidity can contribute to heat stress and increase workers’ injury risks.
- 202322 Aug
Heat Advisory - Heat Related Illnesses Occurring Offshore
This alert describes two offshore cases involving dehydration symptoms and severe heat exhaustion, including treatment and transfer ashore. It outlines heat exhaustion and heat stroke symptoms and recommends that operators and contractors consider hydration, cooling breaks, medical attention, work/rest policies, stop-work authority and task-level hazard assessment where appropriate.
- 201713 Jul
Worker fainted and was injured during tanker operations in a tropical climate
A rigger fainted after standing from prolonged crouching during hose handling on a loading tanker, sustaining a slight head cut. The flash discusses extreme heat, PPE and inadequate drinking water, and highlights physical fitness, hydration, proper eating and opportunities to rest in shade.
- 20019 Jun
Heat Related Conditions
This alert explains how the body normally loses heat through sweat evaporation and cooler air moving over the skin. It describes reduced evaporative cooling as temperature and humidity increase, and identifies inadequate intake of water and electrolyte solutions as another factor in heat-related health problems.