Heat Stress Hot humid weather and hot strata underground are the two main causes of heat stress to miners.
Heat stroke is the most serious health problem associated with work in hot environments.
It occurs when the body's temperature regulatory system fails. A heat stroke victim's skin is hot, usually dry, red or spotted. Immediate first-aid and medical care are necessary to prevent permanent brain damage or death. A person with signs or symptoms of heat stroke requires immediate hospitalization. First-aid efforts should be concentrated on lowering the body temperature by loosening tight clothing and soaking the clothing with water, removing the victim to a cool and shady area and fanning the head and upper body vigorously to increase the cooling effect.