British Glass has published new guidance on working in raised temperatures.
Developed in consultation with all sectors of the UK glass manufacturing industry, the HSE, and worker unions, this guidance provides practical advice for employers on the potential for heat-related illness, how to recognise the symptoms, and tips on ensuring that necessary control measures are understood and properly implemented.
Examples of heat-related medical problems caused by heat stress exist in industrial, military, rescue and leisure industries – and a frequent factor is the level of understanding and knowledge of working in hot conditions – both behaviourally and physiologically.
Task performance, coordination and judgement can all be detrimentally affected by exposure to elevated temperatures. Working in high temperatures and high humidity can not only cause serious illness but also loss of concentration, leading to accidents, unsafe acts and lower productivity.
As part of the development of this guidance, British Glass and IOSH commissioned the Institute of Occupational Medicine Ltd (IOM) to conduct a research study to investigate the feasibility of non-intrusive measurement of core body temperature and provide feedback on existing control measures. This project was completed in 2009 and the study has since been expanded following interest by the HSE, which has funded a further study to improve the reliability of the test methodology.
This guidance document, Managing working in elevated temperatures, together with a second document for the container-glass sector, Code of Practice for glass-forming (I.S.) machines, were launched in early May at the Annual Glass Industry Health and Safety Conference.
For more information on how to obtain the document, visit the British Glass website at www.britglass.co.uk
