Dehydration Archives

Heat Illness and Prevention

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heat illness prevention

Spring has finally arrived and with it comes hotter temperatures, especially as we move forward into Summer. According to OSHA, “Most outdoor fatalities, 50% to 70%, occur in the first few days of working in warm or hot environments because the body needs to build a tolerance to the heat gradually over time.” Millions of workers are exposed to heat while on the job, so let’s take the time to review ways to prevent heat-related injuries.

Build Up Your Tolerance 

Workers who have not spent time recently in warm or hot environments and/or being physically active will need time to build tolerance (acclimatize or, less frequently used, acclimate) to the heat. During their first few days in warm or hot environments, employers should encourage workers to:

  • Consume adequate fluids (water and sports drinks)
  • Work shorter shifts,
  • Take frequent breaks, and
  • Quickly identify any heat illness symptoms.

Know the Types of Heat Illnesses

Knowing the symptoms of the different types of heat illnesses can help you better identify when you or someone you’re working with is overheating.

  • Heat Stroke
    • Confusion and slurred speech
    • Unconsciousness
    • Seizures
    • Heavy sweating or hot, dry skin
    • Very high body temperature and rapid heart rate
  • Heat Exhaustion
    • Fatigue and irritability
    • Thirst
    • Nausea or vomiting
    • Dizziness or lightheadedness
    • Heavy sweating, elevated body temperature, or fast heart rate
  • Heat Cramps
    • Muscle spasms or pain (usually in legs or arms)
  • Heat Syncope
    • Fainting or dizziness
  • Heat Rash
    • Clusters of red bumps on the skin (often appears on the neck, upper chest, and skin folds)
  • Rhabdomyolysis (muscle breakdown)
    • Muscle pain
    • Dark urine or reduced urine output
    • Weakness 

First Aid

OSHA’s Medical Services and First Aid standard and the Medical Service and First Aid in Construction require the ready availability of first aid personnel and equipment. First aid for heat-related illness involves the following principles:

  • Take the affected worker into the shade or air conditioning 
  • Cool the worker immediately with active cooling techniques such as:
    • Immerse the worker in cold water or an ice bath. This is the best method to cool workers rapidly in an emergency.
    • Remove outer layers of clothing, especially heavy protective clothing.
    • Place ice or cold wet towels on the head, neck, trunk, armpits, and groin.
    • Use fans to circulate air around the worker.
  • Never leave a worker with heat-related illness alone in case the illness rapidly becomes worse.
  • When in doubt, call 911!

Heat-related illnesses can have a substantial cost to workers and employers. Employers should have a plan in place for heat-related incidents and employees should actively keep that plan in place. Heat illness can contribute to decreased performance, lost productivity due to illness and hospitalization, and possibly death.

Be proactive in your safety measures and remind employees of seasonal safety tips. At ResponsAble, we believe having well-trained, high-quality, experienced safety professionals on a job site is the best way to cultivate a positive safety culture. Give us a call at 225-753-1909 to talk with us about your upcoming projects.

Deceptive Winter Hydration

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winter dehydration

With colder temperatures and less tangible loss of fluids, it’s easy to lose track of your hydration. Being mindful of your fluid intake and hydration levels is a lot harder to do when you’re not seeing beads of sweat of feeling the effects of scorching heat. However, this only increases the threat of dehydration.

Dehydration is a year-round threat. It occurs any time you use or lose more fluids than you take in, causing your body to lack what it needs to continue its normal functioning. This can occur regardless of temperature. Appropriate water intake is critical to your body’s functioning, and it will begin to shut down without appropriate fluid levels.

Some common misconceptions for winter months may be that if you’re not sweating you’re not losing as much fluids, or a lack of thirst indicates adequate hydration. However, the winter simply presents new challenges for hydration. The air is drier and requires higher lung functioning. The harder our bodies work, the more fluids are needed. Our bodies are also naturally processing fluids throughout the day, so replenishment is necessary regardless of external circumstances.

Signs of Dehydration

  • • Extreme thirst
  • • Less frequent urination
  • • Dark-colored urine
  • • Fatigue
  • • Dizziness
  • • Confusion

Be mindful of these symptoms for yourself and those around you. The deceptive nature of colder weather may compromise the safety others.

Combatting Winter Dehydration

The first step is mindfulness. Now you know that hydration is a critical component of health and safety regardless of the season.

Make a plan for intaking the same amount of fluids, even when you’re not prompted by thirst. Set a goal for ounces consumed per day and use that to determine effective hydration.

Be mindful that not all liquids are created equal. Common beverages of choice in the cold, such as coffee or tea with caffeine, actually have the opposite effect. The same is true for soda. Water is the best hydrator, but in colder months herbal teas that are caffeine free can be beneficial as well.

Consider the safety of yourself and others as you consider making a concerted effort toward hydration. It is easy to prevent, but also easy to experience. Make a system and implement accountability in hydration on your team.

6 Tips for Preventing Dehydration

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preventing dehydrationLast time we talked about signs and symptoms of dehydration, but the best treatment for dehydration is prevention. Easier said than done in the climbing summer heat of 80-90 degrees, we know. So here are 6 tips for preventing dehydration and staying safe in the sunshine.

Replace fluids at the same rate you are expending them. Don’t wait until you are thirsty. Drink water consistently throughout the day. If you are sweating a lot, then drink the appropriate amount of water to match.

Wear light-colored, thin fabrics and loosely fitting clothing. The clothes you wear have a great effect on your overall body temperature, especially in direct sunlight. Lighter clothing doesn’t absorb as much heat and looser clothing allows air to pass along the skin and carry away heat.

Avoid caffeine. Caffeine is a diuretic, and actually absorbs moisture. Drinking caffeinated drinks can contribute to dehydration, because while it is fluid intake for the body it is pulling water out of your system.

Eat fruits and vegetables. Fruits and vegetables have high water content naturally and are easy to digest, reducing the energy your body is expending. When you fill your diet with these foods, you’re getting good nutrients while also hydrating yourself.

Take breaks from direct sunlight and heat. Break up your heat exposure with stints of cooler temperatures. Get inside or in the shade for lunch and water breaks. Allow your body to cool, instead of only increase in temperature over time.

Use a fan, cold washcloth or mister. Find ways to bring down your body temperature or keep it at a lower base level throughout the day. The lower your body temperature, the less fluid loss, and a decreased risk for dehydration.

While extended heat exposure is likely unavoidable, taking tips like these to the job site will help you take preventative action to protect yourself and others from dehydration and other heat-related health risks. These tips may require extra effort, but the benefit will far outweigh the cost throughout the hot days ahead.

For more tips on safe work, visit the ResponseAble Blog!

Identifying Dehydration: Signs and Symptoms

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dehydrationWhen you’re on the job, in sun and heat for extended time periods, dehydration is an imminent threat. Dehydration occurs when you lose more fluid than your body takes in. We must take every precaution to maintain hydration for the safety and well-being of ourselves and fellow workers. However, in the event that dehydration makes it’s appearance it’s important to be educated. Knowing the signs and symptoms of dehydration will keep you informed on how identify dehydration in yourself and others early on, prevent further dehydration, and act in severe cases.

Signs and Symptoms of Dehydration

Discoloration of Urine. When urine is more concentrated, usually a darker yellow or brown, it is an indicator of lack of sufficient water in the body.

Muscle Cramps. Muscle cramps and spasms occur when there is an electrolyte imbalance, and sodium or potassium levels are low. This can be a residual effect of dehydration.

Lightheaded/Dizziness. Dehydration causes your blood pressure to drop. Beginning signs could be feeling lightheaded when you stand up to fast, but could become as serious of intense dizziness, disorientation and confusion.

Skin Elasticity. Another identification of dehydration is a loss of skin elasticity. If you pinch your skin and it doesn’t bounce right back to normal, this is a sign of moderate-severe dehydration. When skin is properly hydrated it maintains elasticity.

Dry Mouth/Eyes/Nose. If you have significant dryness in your different membranes that are usually moist, it is a good indication you do not have any fluids.

Infrequent Bathroom Visits. If your bathroom visits are more than 4-6 hours apart, it is likely that you are not taking in enough fluid. To ensure you maintain hydration, drink enough water that you are visiting the bathroom regularly.

Thirst. Do you feel thirsty? This is probably a sign to drink more water! Listen to your body and the warning signs that it provides naturally.

With summer around the corner, pay close attention to your body and others’. Taking note of these signs and symptoms will allow you to detect dehydration early and before it becomes serious. Drink plenty of water over the span of the entire day to keep yourself hydrated!

For more tips on safe work, visit the ResponseAble Blog!