It’s coming. Even if you’re lucky enough to live in a place where the climate is fairly temperate, most summers heat up substantially. In fact, 2020 was one of the hottest on record so far. That means the millions of hardworking Americans who labor outside or in uncooled climates, some preparing for the heatwave to come, is in order. We have four tips to help you beat the heat this year.
How To Handle the Heat
Heatstroke is no joke. More than 2,600 people every year actually die from heat-related illnesses. This means the safety of the workforce should be a primary concern for labor managers everywhere. Employers should make accommodations to help keep their workers safe, and the employees should also take steps to educate themselves on the signs of heatstroke.
To manage the risk, we have four tips for employees to help them handle what’s coming this summer. Employers can help educate their workforce on the important ways to cope with high temperatures. Heat exhaustion and even deaths are preventable.
Tip 1: Hydration
Your boss may harp on drinking more fluids, but really, you should listen. The Mayo Clinic says:
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Men should drink 15.5 cups of fluids each day.
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Women should drink 11.5 cups of fluids each day.
During the summer heat, this may not even be enough.
Tip 2: Work a little smarter
Here's the deal; if you don't have to work during the hottest part of the day, you shouldn't. Employers can help by sliding shifts to get employees in a little earlier in the morning and home earlier to avoid the peak parts of the sun's rays. It really does make a difference.
Tip 3: Dress a little smarter
Excess, tight clothing will keep your body hotter than it needs to be. Wearing loose, breathable cotton clothes in "cool" colors. Protect yourself against the sun with wide-brimmed hats and sunglasses. Always wear sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher. If your uniform consists of form-fitting black spandex or leather; you are going to have a problem by the time August rolls around. With that said, appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) should still be worn. If wearing masks or gloves is too taxing, try to schedule more breaks throughout the day.
Tip 4: Take breaks
We can’t stress this enough. Mandatory downtime in the hottest months will protect people from the overstress that leads to sunstroke. Lunches should be taken in a cooler spot under a shade tree or in air conditioning. Giving the body a break from high temperatures will keep everyone a little safer.
If you suspect someone has heatstroke, do not second guess yourself. Move the person to a cool area in the shade. Lay them down with their legs elevated and put a fan on them. Watch their breathing and use cold cloths to cool the skin. Drink water or Gatorade and call 911 if you feel the person is suffering respiratory distress.
People Plus works with employers to match top candidates to the best jobs. If you’re an employee looking for a better work environment this summer, contact us. We can help.