Summer is here and the temperatures are rising across the country. While many people have the advantage of working inside all summer, spending time outdoors in the summer months can be harmful. The heat is no joke, and it’s very important that those of us who spend time outdoors in the summer months are aware of the risks. A heat-related illness is one of the most common risks people face when temperatures are at their highest. Some of those illnesses include heat stroke, heat rash, heat exhaustion, dehydration, and heat cramps. These illnesses can become very severe when they are not prevented or treated properly. It is important to be aware of symptoms when spending time outside, including dizziness, weakness, nausea, blurry vision, or loss of consciousness. We want your employees to be safe this summer, so we’ve come up with a few tips to help battle the heat and prevent serious illnesses.
- Employees should wear loose and breathable clothing to keep cool. Cotton and linen are great materials that allow air to flow freely. Also, they should always wear light colored clothing and avoid dark colors as they attract sunlight.
- Employees should shield their head and face from the sun by wearing a hat and sunglasses.
- Sunburn is painful and not pretty. Before venturing outside, they should always apply sunscreen to their exposed body parts. Then, reapply sunscreen every two hours or even more frequently if they are engaged in a water activity. This will protect them from the sun’s harmful rays that cause skin cancer.
- When doing any physical activity, take frequent breaks. Use these breaks to cool down in the shade and drink plenty of water.
- Don’t overdue activity during peak temperatures. Save heavy activity for the cooler times of the day and the less physically demanding activity for the hotter times of the day.
- Remind your employees to always stay hydrated throughout the day. Even if they aren’t thirsty their body can still get dehydrated. It’s beneficial to drink 8 ounces of water every 20 minutes. Also, warn them to stay away from any caffeinated or sugary sports drinks as they promote dehydration.
Here at Decision HR, we want employees to stay safe from the heat and the sun’s powerful rays this summer. No matter how much you educate your employees, they are still at risk that one of them will feel the negative effects of the hot summer heat.
