Tips for Avoiding Heat Stress While on the Job in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex
Summertime is the best and worst time of the year, chock full of vacations, water parks, water skiing at the local lake and Heat Stroke. Approximately 1200 people a year die from heat stroke and it doesn’t appear to be slowing down. Heat related illnesses are continuing to climb every year. The cause of heat stress or heat related illnesses is attributed to exposure to extreme temperatures without proper fluid intake or relief from the heat and humidity (shade, air conditioning, or even the occasional gust of wind). Compound those things with performing manual labor and the results can be catastrophic.
As team members become more acclimated to the heat it can sometimes be easy to forget just how important fluids can be. They can go for longer periods of time without feeling the need to hydrate even though that’s exactly what they need. Lack of urination or darker colors of urine are early signs of dehydration.
Other signs and symptoms of heat stress are
Heavy Sweating
Muscle Cramps
Dizziness
Fainting
Fatigue
Untreated, these symptoms can lead to heat stroke. Signs of heat stroke can be the lack of sweating, nausea, fainting, dizziness, headache, confusion and eventually unresponsiveness leading to coma or death.
So how do we prevent Heat Stress and Heat Stroke?
Frequently providing WATER, REST, and SHADE to your employees who are directly exposed to the elements of summertime can reduce the effects of heat stress substantially and keep your team healthy and productive.
The use of electrolyte packs can be a benefit also if used in moderation, but too much and the team member can experience similar symptoms to heat stress. Those also can cause dizziness and nausea along with a few extra unpleasant symptoms.
10 minutes at the top of every hour for water, rest, and shade can mean the difference between a healthy and productive team; or a weak, tired, unproductive or injured one. New team members may need extra breaks as they acclimatize to the heat for the first couple of weeks.
Take care of your team and they’ll take care of you.
