Speaking of Safety
Summer heat poses a serious risk at job sites, particularly in construction, contributing to over 700 annual fatalities in the U.S. Preventive measures include hydration before work, scheduled breaks in the shade, using cooling cloths, recognizing heat-related symptoms, and smart clothing choices to maintain safety and productivity.
Heat stress and sun exposure are distinct yet interconnected issues for outdoor workers. Heat stress arises from the body’s inability to cool down, leading to serious health risks. Sun exposure directly harms the skin and eyes. Recognizing both risks helps implement prevention strategies, such as staying hydrated, seeking shade, and wearing protective clothing.
Approximately 60% of the adult human body is water, essential for bodily functions such as digestion, circulation, and toxin elimination. Dehydration in the workplace can lead to health issues and accidents, making proper hydration a form of personal protective equipment. Severe dehydration can cause heat stress, reduced mental performance, and impaired reaction time. Simply drinking water may not be enough for those working in hot conditions.
OSHA’s on the look-out and their recently announced National Emphasis Program (NEP) shows they are focused on preventing heat-related injuries and illnesses in a wide range of industries.
Employers are encouraged to review and familiarize themselves with the NEP to prevent heat-related violations. Failure to do so can result in significant penalties from OSHA.
Many of the doctors and experts say that we need to drink two to two and a half liters of water each and every day. That’s about a half a gallon, to a little bit more than a half a gallon, of liquids a day. Now that is just for when we are at normal activity that doesn’t include if we were out in the sun, playing sports, or doing any other type of strenuous activity. Obviously when those things happen we need to increase that amount of liquid.
Unfortunately, most people wait until they’re thirsty to take a drink. Â But the truth is that if you’re feeling thirst, you’re already in a slightly dehydrated state. Â Catching dehydration early is key to addressing it before it has an impact on cognitive and physical function. Â Luckily, there are many other signs workers and their supervisors can be on the lookout for.