Heat stroke occurs in greater frequency2,10,11 during heat
waves and we are increasingly seeing more of this kind of
temperature elevation in the summer months. When the
environmental temperatures reach 35 C,21 the body is unable
to utilise sweating as a physical mode of temperature
loss. If the humidity is high in addition to the hot environment,
the gradient for evaporation of sweat as a means of
heat loss from the body is further reduced.
Certain occupations22 e.g., those working outdoors especially
construction workers in hot environment, are associated
with greater heat stroke risk. Those working in hot indoor
environment as in bakeries and in the steel and glass industry
where personal protective clothing or equipment
reduce risk of damage from fire, have increased risk of heat
stroke due to inability to lose heat in the situation. This is
made worse by the great amount of heat produced as a result
of activities in the various processes e.g. blowing of glass in
the latter industry.