In this lesson, we will explore how extreme heat affects our ability to work and study safely. We will look at real-world rules designed to protect people from heat-related illness. You will practice using language to give advice and explain procedures, and you will create a safety plan for a situation you know.
Hook: How Hot is Too Hot?
Think, Pair, Share (5 mins)
Think about your own experience. What is the hottest weather you have ever worked or studied in? How did it feel? Did it affect your ability to concentrate or work effectively?
In pairs or small groups, discuss these questions:
- Is there a temperature that you think is “too hot” for outdoor work?
- Is there a temperature that is “too hot” for studying in a classroom without air conditioning?
- What are some simple things people can do to stay safe in extreme heat?
Share one interesting idea from your discussion with the class.
Decode: Understanding the Rules
Why Heat Safety Rules Are Critical
This video explains the life-threatening medical emergency of exertional heat stroke and the steps to treat it.
Video Transcript
In 1985, sixteen-year-old Douglas Casa ran the championship ten-thousand-meter track race at the Empire State Games. Suddenly, with just 200 meters to go, he collapsed, got back up, and then collapsed again on the final straightaway. With his body temperature at dangerous levels, he had suffered an exertional heat stroke. Fortunately, with immediate and proper treatment, he survived the potentially fatal episode and has since helped save 167 people in similar circumstances. [ 00:37 ]
From ancient soldiers on the battlefield to modern-day warriors on the gridiron, exertional heat stroke, or sunstroke, has long been a serious concern. And unlike classical heat stroke, which affects vulnerable people such as infants and the elderly during heat waves, exertional heat stroke is caused by intense exercise in the heat and is one of the top three killers of athletes and soldiers in training. [ 01:01 ]
When you exercise, nearly 80 percent of the energy you use is transformed into heat. In normal circumstances, this is what's known as compensable heat stress, and your body can dissipate the heat as quickly as it's generated through cooling methods like the evaporation of sweat. But with uncompensable heat stress, your body is unable to lose enough heat due to overexertion or high temperatures and humidity, which raises your core temperature beyond normal levels. [ 01:27 ]
This causes the proteins and cell membranes to denature, creating cells that no longer function properly and begin to leak their contents. If these leaky cells proliferate through the body, the results can be devastating, including liver damage, blood clot formation in the kidneys, damage to the gastrointestinal tract, and even the failure of vital organs. [ 01:47 ]
So how do you diagnose an exertional heat stroke? The main criterion is a core body temperature greater than 40 degrees Celsius, observed along with physical symptoms such as increased heart rate, low blood pressure, and rapid breathing, or signs of central nervous system dysfunction, such as confused behavior, aggression, or loss of consciousness. The most feasible and accurate way to assess core body temperature is with a rectal thermometer, as other common temperature-taking methods are not accurate in these circumstances. [ 02:15 ]
As far as treatment goes, the most important thing to remember is "cool first, transport second." Because the human body can withstand a core temperature above 40 degrees Celsius for about 30 minutes before cell damage sets in, it's essential to initiate rapid cooling on-site in order to lower it as quickly as possible. After any athletic or protective gear has been removed from the victim, place them in an ice water tub while stirring the water and monitoring vitals continuously. If this is not possible, dousing in ice water and applying wet towels over the entire body can help. But before you start anything, emergency services should be called. [ 02:54 ]
As you wait, it's important to keep the victim calm while cooling as much surface area as possible until emergency personnel arrive. If medical staff are available on-site, cooling should continue until a core temperature of 38.9 degrees Celsius is reached. The sun is known for giving life, but it can also take life away if we're not careful, even affecting the strongest among us. As Dr. J.J. Levick wrote of exertional heat stroke in 1859, "It strikes down its victim with his full armor on. Youth, health, and strength oppose no obstacle to its power." But although this condition is one of the top three leading causes of death in sports, it has been 100% survivable with proper care. [ 03:44 ]
Around the world, governments and organizations are creating rules to protect people from the dangers of working in extreme heat. One of the most well-known examples is the "Midday Break" rule in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
Read the summary of the UAE's rule below. As you read, think about these questions:
- Who does this rule protect?
- What is the main action required by the rule?
- Are there any exceptions?
Official Guidance: The UAE Midday Break
The Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MoHRE) enforces an annual "Midday Break" to protect workers from the risks of extreme heat and sun exposure during the summer months.
- Core Requirement: All work performed outdoors or in places under direct sunlight is prohibited between 12:30 PM and 3:00 PM. This rule is in effect from June 15th to September 15th each year.
- Employer Responsibilities: Companies must provide a shaded area for workers to rest during their break. They must also provide adequate cooling devices (like fans) and sufficient drinking water. Employers are also required to post a clear schedule of the daily working hours.
- Exempted Work: Some jobs cannot be stopped for technical reasons. For example, work like paving roads or repairing major water lines may be exempted. However, in these cases, the employer must provide cool drinking water, salts, lemons, and other safety supplies approved by health authorities.
- Enforcement & Compliance: MoHRE inspectors visit worksites to ensure compliance. Companies that violate the rule face fines for each worker found on the job during the break hours. Public-spirited community members can also report violations.
Group Task: Find the Facts (15 mins)
In your group, skim the text again and find the following information:
- Three specific requirements for employers.
- One detail about how the rule is enforced.
Be ready to share your answers.
Language Focus: Giving Advice and Instructions
When we create safety plans or give advice, we often use specific language to make our instructions clear. Let's look at three useful patterns.
1. Modals for Advice: Should & Ought To
We use should and ought to to give strong advice or recommendations. They mean "this is a good idea" or "this is the right thing to do." Ought to is slightly more formal than should.
Form: Subject + should / ought to + base verb
Employers should provide shaded rest areas.
You ought to drink water every 15 minutes, even if you don't feel thirsty.
2. Conditionals for Situations: If... Then...
We use conditional sentences (especially the first conditional) to talk about the results of a possible future action. This is very common in rules and safety guidelines.
Form: If + present simple, then + will / modal / imperative
If a worker feels dizzy, then they should report to their supervisor immediately.
If the job is exempted from the midday break, then the employer must provide extra safety supplies.
3. Sequencing for Procedures: First, Then, Finally
When explaining a process or plan, we use sequencing words to make the order of steps clear.
First, check the weather forecast for a heat warning.
Then, make sure you have a full water bottle.
Finally, remind your team about the location of the shaded rest area.
Role-play: Toolbox Talk
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