Be careful in summer’s heat

Hopkins County| Extension

The high temperatures of the summer are here to stay for a little while. Learning how to work with high temperatures is critical. According to Texas A&M AgriLife Disaster Education Network, whether you work outdoors in agriculture, construction, coaching or some other capacity, caution should be taken when temperatures rise.

Asphalt and concrete store heat longer and gradually release heat at night, making roadwork extremely hot. Strenuous activity in the heat causes the body to sweat in an effort to cool itself. When sweat evaporates, the body begins to cool. A pea-sized bead of sweat can cool nearly 1 liter (about 1 quart) of blood by 1 degree. In hot, humid conditions, however, evaporation of sweat becomes more difficult, and keeping the body’s temperature regulated can become a problem if precautions are not taken.

If you or your employees work in the outdoor heat, take these safety precautions:

Get acclimated to the heat. If you have just begun summer work, returned from a vacation or had an extended illness, it is important to begin work gradually. It will take an adult five to seven days to acclimate to the heat.

Implement work-rest cycles. Distribute the workload evenly over the day and amongst able workers with adequate rest periods. Do not increase the duration of rest periods in hopes of increasing the duration of work periods — this can result in heat illness. Short but frequent work-rest cycles are the greatest benefit to the worker.

Provide cool rest areas. Shaded or air conditioned areas with a a temperature of 76 degrees are preferable. The rest area should be as close to the work area as possible.

Drink 1/2 cup to 1 cup of cool water every 15 to 20 minutes. For work longer than one hour in duration, an electrolyte-containing sports drink may be preferred to replace lost nutrients. To prevent dehydration, it is crucial that the water intake during the workday be about equal to sweat loss. Do not rely on thirst as a measure of the need for fluid. A worker may produce 2 to 3 gallons of sweat over the course of a day.

Wear appropriate clothing. Clothing helps to prevent the transfer of heat from the air to the body. This advantage may be nullified, however, if the clothes interfere with the evaporation of sweat, such as in humid environments. In most cases, the best choice is to wear light-weight (like cotton), loose-fitting, light-colored clothing and a hat with a wide brim to protect the face and neck. Work in pairs. Each person should have a partner whose job is to check on the other to watch for signs of heat illness.

Postpone nonessential tasks. When feasible, the most stressful tasks should be performed during the cooler parts of the day (early morning or at night). Double shifts and overtime should be avoided whenever possible during high temperature conditions.