It won’t be long before we’re all in the depths of summer and facing one of the most serious hazards in our work – heat related illness.

As we move from spring into summer, those who work (or workout) outside need to monitor temperatures and fluid intake because the likelihood of dehydration, cramps, heat exhaustion and heat stroke increases dramatically.

While many wave it off as, “it’s hot, I’m sweating – no big deal,” here are the facts. Your body builds up heat when you work and sweats to get rid of extra heat. But sometimes your body may not cool off fast enough. Too much heat can make you tired, adversely affect your job performance, and increase your chance of injury. At a minimum, you develop a skin rash (very uncomfortable, but not life threatening).

The progression of heat related issues include:

• Dehydration. When your body loses water, you can’t cool off fast enough. You feel thirsty, weak and tired. Drink fluids before you feel thirsty.
• Cramps. You can get muscle cramps from the heat even after you leave work.
• Heat exhaustion. You feel tired, nauseous, headachy, and giddy (dizzy and silly). Your skin is damp and looks muddy or flushed. You may faint; but worse of all you could develop heat stroke.
• Heat stroke . You may have hot dry skin and a high temperature. You may also feel disoriented. Additionally you may have convulsions or become unconscious. Heat stroke can even lead to death if you don’t seek emergency medical help.

Your risk of heat stress depends on a number of things, including:

• Your physical condition.
• The weather (temperature, humidity).
• How much clothing you have on.
• How fast you must move or how much weight you must lift.
• If you are near a fan or there is a breeze.
• If you are in the sun.

While temperature is a critical factor with heat related illness, other factors play a role. Let’s think for a minute about a drill crew working on a dry cleaner site at a retail center. When the rig is out in the open with constant breezes the crew may not be exposed to any heat issues. Now take that same crew and place them behind the facility in an alley; little air movement, light and heat reflected off of the building walls and asphalt can lead quickly to heat issues.

Here’s how you can ensure that you are prepared to weather hot weather:

• Drink plenty of fluids before you get thirsty.
• Keep taking rest breaks. Rest in a cool, shady spot.
• Use engineering controls. Place fans on the site to create air movement. Shield your neck from the sun with a cooling “gator.”
• Wear light-colored clothing made of a breathable wicking material if possible.
• Do the heaviest work in the coolest time of the day.
• Work in the shade . If shade is not naturally available at the site, bring an open-sided tent or other shade structure.
• For heavy work in hot areas, take turns with other workers, so some can rest.
• If you travel to a warm area for a new job, you need time for your body to get used to the heat. Be extra careful the first two weeks on the job. Do not forget the effect of humidity; working in 90° in San Bernardino is far different than 90° in Houston.
• If you work in protective clothing , you need more rest breaks. You may also need to check your temperature and heart rate.

Now is the time to review the symptoms of heat related illnesses. During your next tailgate safety meeting discuss the differences between heat exhaustion and heat stroke and how to minimize the potential exposure to these dangerous and potentially deadly issues. Then periodically throughout the summer take time to talk about these issues with your crew and other site personnel.

Remember – If you think someone has heat stroke, call emergency services (or 911). Immediately move the victim to the shade. Loosen his/her clothes. Wipe or spray his/her skin with cool water and fan him/her. You can use a piece of cardboard or other material as a fan.

Be prepared and be aware of how you (and your co-workers) are feeling, looking or acting in hot weather. It will keep you cool and safe from heat related illnesses.