BE PREPARED for the heat with these helpful hints from Working Solutions!
Outdoor heat is not the only environment that causes stress on the body-hot indoor working environments can take their toll, too. To beat the heat, it is important for you to prepare yourself for your hot work environment by take extra precautions to feel fit and safe on the job.
Causes of Heat Stress
Adequate preparation for your job includes education on how your boy becomes overheated. The amount of stress you face, in addition to your body type, weight and health condition, depends on:
- Temperature
- Humidity
- Radiant heat (from the sun, furnace or other heat source)
- Air speed
Arrive Ready to Battle the Heat
There are several things you can do before arriving for your shift or throughout the day to reduce the effects of heat stress. Some examples are:
- Drink plenty of water-sweating is your body’s way of stabilizing its internal temperature, which is helpful, but only if you replace the water you lose with extra fluids.
- Take breaks- even short time periods away from direct heat sources can be helpful for your body.
- Reduce your workload- your health and safety is No. 1, so if you are feeling exhausted from the heat, reduce the weight of your load of the pace of your work.
- Wear proper clothing- loose-fitting clothing made of breathable fabric is best for staying cool.
- Pace yourself the first day back- studies show that it takes time to acclimate your body to heat so ease back into hot work environments carefully, even if you only had a few days off.
Heat disorders can be very serious if ignored. Hot work environments can cause heat stroke, heat exhaustion, heat cramps, fainting and heat rash. Stop working and seek a cool environment immediately if you experience any of the following symptoms: dizziness, delirium; mottled, bluish skin; high body temperature; painful muscle spams; or trouble sleeping after a day’s work.