By Travis Halsted, ARM, COSS, Loss Control Consultant

It was just a few months ago that I was discussing icy parking lots, and shoveling snowy walkways with many of you. Oh, how the seasons have changed. As the temperatures rise, so do the risks in the workplace. The brain and body take part in a dance to keep the body cool. Each year, over 600 Americans die from heat exhaustion. While the majority are well aware of the measures that we can put in place to help with heat levels while the employee is working (fans, air conditioning, breaks), I think we could even look at heat preparation from a different angle.

As the health and safety field is based on preventing injuries/accidents, it is paramount that we try to be proactive with employees before they even enter the workplace. The next few items will provide some proactive measures that employees can utilize at work, at home, and really any event where they can expect to enter a high temperature environment.

Wear Thin, Loose and Light Colored Clothing

When your body overheats, it begins to sweat, and the sweat evaporates, which provides a cooling effect on the body. If an employee is wearing thick clothing the sweat cannot evaporate, subsequently not allowing the body to cool itself. Furthermore, dark colors absorb light, converting that light energy into heat. Lighter colors reflect the light, thus converting less light into heat. When choosing the type of fabric for clothing, employees should look at natural fabrics like cotton and/or linens, if it is safe to wear in the particular workplace.

Avoid Caffeine

Now, I know I am not going to be a popular guy after this one. Caffeine has been found to cause vasoconstriction, which is the constriction of blood vessels causing the warming of the blood. Vasodilation, the process used to cool the body, is compromised by the intake of caffeine. Items like an ice cold energy drink, or even those delicious iced coffee drinks actually are doing the opposite of what you are looking for.

Eat Light Meals

The majority of heat generated in the body is derived from eating. Whether it be a snack from the vending machine, an ice cream bar from the cooler, or our lunch, eating increases your core temperature as the body works to digest and metabolize the food. Companies often try to be nice and get popsicles, ice cream, and other cold treats to help cool their employees. While extremely generous, and with good intentions, the actual digestion of those items actually warms the body temperature. Watermelon, peaches, salads with leafy greens/cucumbers/tomatoes, fresh fruits, and even seafood like clams and crab can replenish the electrolytes in the body. These electrolytes control electrical impulses in the body, and are lost when the body sweats. When the electrolytes are lost, the body reduces the ability to sweat, and allows the body to heat up as it can’t cool itself. It is vital that the supply of electrolytes remains consistent.

Stay Hydrated

We have all heard this time and time again. Water, water, water is what has been told to us for quite some time. While this is still the case, it is important to look at when to drink the water. If an employee becomes thirsty, hot, and feeling dehydrated, it is often too late to instantly feel better with a quick drink of water. The U.S. National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine determined that an adequate daily fluid intake is 15.5 cups of fluids a day for men and 11.5 cups of fluids a day for women. By simply following this intake recommendation, a body can stay hydrated. If exercise, or some other additional exertion is thrown into the mix then the intake of water should also increase, as you are depleting those electrolytes that are provided by the water. By not drinking the proper amount of water while working in the yard on a Sunday, an employee is setting themselves up to be dehydrated, and ill for the start of their shift on Monday morning.

Don’t Ignore the Warning Signs

While this article was focused on how employees can prevent heat issues before they even arrive at the workplace/jobsite, I couldn’t waste a chance to also talk about some of the warning signs of heat related health issues. In facilities ranging from foundries, to die casting, and from machine shops to automotive repair facilities, employees can face temperatures well into the high 90s, if not low 100s. In these temperatures, employees should evaluate themselves, and other employees for signs of heat issues such as; nausea and vomiting, mental confusion, flushed skin, rapid breathing, racing pulse, heavy sweating or lack of sweating, cramps, dizziness, and headaches. Each of these items can rapidly worsen, and should be addressed immediately.

While these are workplace safety points, each of these items can, and should be evaluated while you are going to the lake, mowing the lawn, or just enjoying sometime with the family at the park. I hope that you are all able to get out and enjoy this wonderful weather, and beautiful state.