Why is heat stress considered dangerous when wearing Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)?

Heat stress poses a significant danger when wearing Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) primarily because PPE traps heat. This is crucial for understanding the implications of PPE in hot work environments.

When workers wear PPE, it creates a barrier between their bodies and the external environment. While it provides necessary protection against various hazards, it also prevents the body from dissipating heat effectively. Normally, the body cools itself through evaporation of sweat and convective heat loss to the surrounding air; however, when PPE is worn, the insulation and encapsulation characteristics can significantly hinder these cooling mechanisms.

As a result, workers can experience an increase in core body temperature, leading to potential heat-related illnesses such as heat exhaustion or heat stroke. This highlights the need for effective heat stress management strategies, especially in occupations that require the use of extensive PPE. Recognizing the role of heat retention in PPE can help supervisors implement guidelines and training to mitigate risks associated with prolonged use in high-temperature conditions.