Name of Students and Group No.

Baluyut, Madilene M.
Figueroa, Ayezza Marie S.
Ollado, Ma. Alyssa Stephanie G.
Waje, Anjanette

Title of the Scientific Paper

Heat Stress Management Program Improving Worker Health and Operational
Effectiveness: A Case Study

Relevance of the Scientific Paper

Addressing regulations for heat stress

Objectives of the Scientific Paper

To establish work site-specific heat stress monitoring plans to prevent or reduce the risk
of heat-related illnesses in exposed workers, which will lead to improved worker health and
safety and increased operational effectiveness

Highlights of Findings, Conclusions, Recommendations

Personal protective equipment (PPE) is often worn by workers at hazardous waste sites
which increase the body heat stress load. Heat stress monitoring is a vital component of an
effective health and safety program when employees work in exceptionally warm environments.
Since no specific Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) regulations that
address heat stress, health and safety program was conducted. This described heat stress and
surveillance plan was implemented at a hazardous waste site. Occupational health nurses and
industrial hygienists developed a monitoring program for heat stress designed to prevent the
occurrence of significant heat-related illness in site workers. The program included worker
education on the signs of heat-related illness and continuous physiologic monitoring to detect
early signs of heat-related health problems. Biological monitoring data were collected before
workers entered the exclusion zone and on exiting the zone following decontamination. Sixty-six
site workers were monitored throughout site remediation. More than 1,700 biological monitoring
data points were recorded. Outcomes included improved worker health and safety, and
increased operational effectiveness

Three (3) Major Points of Agreement

Selection of Participants:
The workers observed for the heat management program are acclimatized to work in
warm environments, thus implying no need to include a temperature adaptation allowance
constant. They are divided into two groups: the young who are physically fit and exhibited no
signs of heat-related stress, and the older workers who had minor changes in biological
monitoring points but recovered quickly
Methods
With increased exertion levels, longer rest periods were necessary and work duties
were also adjusted by rotating personnel to limit heat stress.
Prevention Of Heat Stress
Drinking water must always be available to workers, and they must drink water
frequently
Three (3) Major Points of Disagreement
Prevention Of Heat Stress
Because the feeling of thirst is not an adequate guide for water replacement,
employees working in warm environments should be encouraged to drink water every 15 to
20 minutes

We disagree for the statement where occupational health nurses provided education
about heat stress

The Heat stress management stated in the case study is only implemented mainly in the
U.S but not in other countries like the Philippines. Many companies in our country still
dont have any idea about the proper way of handling heat stress from workers.

Recommended Areas for Further Study

OSHA Regulation Covering Heat Stress Hazards
Creation of an OSHA regulation covering heat stress standards will allow uniform
parameters in evaluating heat stress prone facilities. A standard will also ensure that all
workers from companies with increased heat stress hazards conform to safe work
practices are entitled to lobby in a cooling and hydration area when the need arises and
will be mandated to fully and consistently implement the measures stipulated in the
regulation.

Periodical Site Monitoring for Heat Stress Prone Facilities

To make sure companies comply to the regulation at all times, the government or
OSHA must be empowered to conduct periodical site visits without issuing prior notice.
This will enable them to assess real work place conditions and methods and determine
whether or not the company fully adapts and consistently implements the OSHA
recommendations.

Source(s) of Information Used in Analyzing the Scientific Paper

Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSH Act of 1970). Retrieved from
https://www.osha.gov/pls/oshaweb/owadisp.show_document?p_table=OSHACT
&p_id=3359