Background

During emergency response, training exercises or other outdoor duties, firefighters may be exposed to extreme heat and cold.

Concerns/hazards

Firefighters may suffer serious injury or death due to heat stress or over-exposure to cold.

Over-exposure to cold may occur when firefighters are exposed to low temperatures, wind and/or moisture for significant periods of time.

Actions for employers

Employers should:

  • develop training programs that assist firefighters and supervisors in recognizing signs of heat and cold stress
  • develop operating guidelines to assist firefighters in alleviating heat and cold stress

Heat stress

Personnel should know how to recognize heat stress, which may include:

  • heat stroke
  • heat exhaustion
  • heat cramps

Consider these methods to assist in alleviating and managing heat related stress:

  • fluid intake
  • work rotation, especially to cooler areas in the shade or air-conditioning
  • removing layers of clothing
  • rest
  • reschedule non-emergency activities
  • report heat related stress symptoms to a supervisor

Cold stress

Personnel should know how to recognize the signs of cold related stress, which may include:

  • frostbite
  • hypothermia

Consider these methods to manage cold stress:

  • work rotation and rehabilitation where a heat source is available, protected from wind, rain and snow
  • wear multiple layers of loose fitting clothing
  • protection of hands, feet, face and head
  • report cold related stress symptoms to a supervisor
  • reschedule non-emergency activities

Applicable regulations and acts

Read:

  • Occupational Health and Safety Act
    • clause 25(2)(a) for providing information and instruction to a worker
    • clause 25(2)(h) for taking every precaution reasonable to protect workers

Related

Read firefighter guidance note 6-12 Rehabilitation during emergency operations

Heat stress guideline