It is not even officially summer yet and if your like me and living in the northeast then you know we have been experiencing some extreme heat and humidity.  For some people that does not mean time off of work and still working outdoors, in construction buildings, factories, and the likes.  Even news channel I turn on says stay out of the heat, stay in the air but this is not an option for people who need to make a living.

Although the job needs to get done workers need to be aware of the risk factors associated with the extreme heat.  Workers can be exposed to direct sunlight heat, indoor heat sources, lack of air circulation, dehydration, protective clothing, as well as many others that can attribute to heat related illnesses.

Obviously one of the biggest things workers can do is maintain good hydration.  On average a human body has roughly 2.6 million sweat glands to help cool us off when we get hot.  Water is obviously a great source of hydration but we are not only sweating out water, we are also sweating out electrolytes.  It is important to replenish these are well so drinks like Gatorade are great for workers in the heat.

Employers need to take the heat into consideration as well, making sure to give workers plenty of breaks to cool off and hydrate.  Workers should look for shade and a cooler place to relax and take a break when available.  If employees are allowed to wear moisture wicking clothes than this should be considered as well as it can help to keep the body cooler.  When possible work should be started earlier in the morning or later in the evening when the temperatures are not so hot.

Should a worker start to experience symptoms of heat exhaustion such as dizziness, fatigue, nausea, or shallow breathing they should immediately stop working, let a supervisor know, then find a cool area to rest and hydrate.  If symptoms get worse medical personnel should be notified.

Everyone goes to work to make a living, do it safely, and return to their families at the end of the day.  Let’s make sure that the heat does not cause that plan to derail.  When you are needed to be working outside make sure you are doing it in the safest way and protecting yourself in the heat.