Health officials and WorkSafeBC urge caution and hydration during B.C. heat warnings

Much of southern B.C. is seeing extreme heat, prompting warnings about health risks for vulnerable residents and outdoor workers.

With much of southern B.C. under a heat advisory, health officials and WorkSafeBC are urging British Columbians to hydrate and pay attention for the symptoms of heat exhaustion or heat stroke.

It’s not just the very young and the elderly who are susceptible to high temperatures. Pregnancy, depression, anxiety, heart conditions, disability, and other factors like medication can impact the body’s heat response.

“We oftentimes think of construction and agriculture, outdoor work, as being particularly of concern, but it’s equally important to consider indoor working environments such as restaurants and factories,” said WorkSafeBC’s senior manager of prevention field services, Suzana Prpic. “It’s really important to have lots of water many times throughout the day and really to continually monitor, employers need to monitor their workers throughout the day.”

Dr. Maulik Baxi, who specializes in public health and preventative medicine for Fraser Health, also pointed out that those living alone are at high risk, “starting from heat exhaustion, heat rash all the way to heat stroke.”

Cities across the Lower Mainland are encouraging residents to take extra precautions as the mercury rises above 30 degrees, and some have maps or lists of air-conditioned civic facilities like libraries, where everyone is welcome to cool off in air-conditioned public spaces.

While the BC Centre for Disease Control and other public health agencies have online resources for preparing for and recognizing heat-related health issues, the basics are simple.

“Any time someone loses consciousness, especially in the heat, we want you to phone 911 right away,” said Brian Twaites, a veteran paramedic and public information officer for BC Emergency Health Services. “And that’s not only for somebody that’s out enjoying recreational activities, but also think about people that are working in this heat.”