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BSEE: Heat-related Illnesses occurring offshore
What happened
The United States Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement (BSEE) has published Safety Alert 467 relating to heat related illnesses occurring offshore.
BSSE notes that 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.
Heat exhaustion can be defined as “the body’s response to an excessive loss of water and salt, usually through excessive sweating.” Heat exhaustion is most likely to affect people with high blood pressure and those working in a hot environment.
IMCA members in their operations can experience high temperatures on their worksites and these temperatures and humidity can cause a person to have a higher potential of heat stress. Heat stress can result in heat stroke, heat exhaustion, heat cramps, or heat rashes. Heat can also increase the risk of injuries in workers as it may result in sweaty palms, fogged-up safety glasses, and dizziness. IMCA has published an Information Note on working in hot weather conditions, which can be found here.
Safety Event
Published: 16 October 2023
Download: IMCA SF 24/23
IMCA Safety Flashes
Submit a Report
IMCA Safety Flashes summarise key safety matters and incidents, allowing lessons to be more easily learnt for the benefit of all. The effectiveness of the IMCA Safety Flash system depends on Members sharing information and so avoiding repeat incidents. Please consider adding [email protected] to your internal distribution list for safety alerts or manually submitting information on incidents you consider may be relevant. All information is anonymised or sanitised, as appropriate.
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IMCA makes every effort to ensure the accuracy and reliability of the data contained in the documents it publishes, but IMCA shall not be liable for any guidance and/or recommendation and/or statement herein contained. The information contained in this document does not fulfil or replace any individual’s or Member's legal, regulatory or other duties or obligations in respect of their operations. Individuals and Members remain solely responsible for the safe, lawful and proper conduct of their operations.