BSEE: Heat-related illnesses occurring offshore

According to BSEE, there have been multiple recent instances of personnel experiencing symptoms of heat-related illnesses while working offshore. Some examples include:

• An operator noticed a contractor working on a platform experiencing dehydration symptoms. The affected individual was given fluids and told to rest. Out of caution, he was later transported to shore for further evaluation.
• An onsite medic observed signs of severe heat exhaustion in an employee. The employee was treated with IV fluids on board. After consulting with the onshore doctors, the employee was transported in a medevac helicopter to a local emergency room for further medical attention.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) defines heat exhaustion as “the body’s response to an excessive loss of water and salt, usually through excessive sweating.” They caution heat exhaustion is most likely to affect people with high blood pressure and those working in a hot environment.

Typical symptoms of heat exhaustion include:

• Headache
• Irritability
• Nausea
• Thirst
• Dizziness
• Heavy sweating
• Muscle cramps
• Elevated body temperature
• Weakness

According to the CDC, heat stroke “occurs when the body can no longer control its temperature: the body’s temperature rises rapidly, the sweating mechanism fails, and the body is unable to cool down.” The CDC lists the typical symptoms of heat stroke as follows:

• Confusion, altered mental status
• Seizures
• Slurred speech
• Very high body temperature
• Loss of consciousness
• Hot, dry skin or profuse sweating
• Heat stroke can be fatal if treatment is delayed.

BSEE recommends that operators and contractors, where appropriate, consider the following:

• Advising employees and contractors on the prevention and treatment of heat exhaustion and heat stroke.
  • Preventing heat exhaustion and heat stroke includes:
    • Drinking plenty of water or a sports drink.
    • Taking breaks in areas with air conditioning or shade to cool off.
  • Heat exhaustion treatment includes:
    • Providing medical attention to the person showing symptoms.
    • Staying with the employee until medical attention arrives.
    • Removing the employee from the hot area, giving them cool liquids to drink, and encouraging the employee to drink.
    • Removing unnecessary clothing, such as shoes, socks, and jackets.
    • Cooling the worker with cold compresses, or having the employee wash their head, face, and neck with cold water.
  • Heat stroke treatment includes:
    • Providing medical attention to the person showing symptoms.
    • Staying with the employee until medical attention arrives.
    • Moving the worker to a cool, shaded area, and removing unnecessary clothing.
  • Cooling the worker via:
    • Cold water or ice bath (if possible).
    • Wetting the skin.
    • Placing cold wet clothes on the skin.
    • Soaking clothing with cool water.
    • Circulating air around the employee.
    • Considering implementing work policies requiring periodic breaks when working outside in high temperatures. According to the CDC’s National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), when the heat index is 100°F, a 15- minute break should be taken for each 45 minutes of moderate intensity work.