For most people, working in the heat — whether outside in the sun or indoors — can take a toll on comfort, productivity and safety. But the fact is many workers simply can’t avoid high temperatures, and work can’t stop when the mercury rises. Important work needs to be done.

While exposure to the heat might be unavoidable, heat exposure-related illnesses can be preventable. Let’s explore some of the safety concerns from working in the heat, as well as helpful tips on staying cool at work.

Safety Concerns of Working in the Heat

According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), there are occupational risk factors that can contribute toward the chance of heat-related illnesses, including heavy physical activity, warm or hot environmental condition, not being accustomed to heat conditions and wearing uniform clothes that hold in body heat. Additionally, OSHA cites personal risk factors, such as medical conditions, lack of physical fitness, previous episodes of heat-related illness and alcohol, drug or certain medication use.¹

Certain industries or jobs can also increase exposure to the heat. Outdoor work might include agriculture, construction, landscaping, delivery workers, first responders and oil and gas well operations. Even with air conditioning or ventilation, certain indoor jobs are performed in high heat conditions, including those conducted around heat generating appliances or machinery like bakeries, kitchens and laundry services, electrical utilities, mills and foundries, manufacturing and warehouseing.

The Center for Disease Control (CDC) lists some of the more common heat generated illnesses as heat stroke, heat exhaustion, rhabdomyolysis which can cause irregular heart rhythms, seizures and damage to the kidneys from electrolytes and large proteins being released into the bloodstream, fainting, dizziness, heat cramps, and heat rash. Heat stroke is the most serious and occurs when the body can no longer control its temperature. The symptoms include:

• Confusion, altered mental status, slurred speech
• Loss of consciousness
• Hot, dry skin or profusive sweating
• Seizures
• High body temperature

The condition can be fatal if not treated right away by moving the person into a cooler area and cooling skin with cold water or ice. Emergency medical care should be called immediately.²

Cooling Tips for Warm Weather Work

The best way to help avoid heat-generated illnesses is to follow preventative measures. Both new and old employees should be trained to recognize symptoms of heat-related illnesses and what to do when one occurs. Training should also include these important tips for staying cool at work:

Monitor Weather Conditions

Both employers and employees should be aware of weather forecasts and plan accordingly. Summer heat can also increase the likelihood of pop up storms as pressure systems increase, so it’s important to monitor forecasts for overall employee safety.

Acclimatization

According to the CDC, acclimatization is the result of beneficial physiological adaptations (e.g., increased sweating efficiency, etc.) that occur after gradual increased exposure to a hot environment. Employers should ensure that workers are acclimatized before they work in a hot environment. The CDC recommends this be done gradually over seven to 14 days. New workers should do just 20% of the usual duration of work in the heat on day one and increase no more than 20% on each additional day. Experienced workers should do no more than 50% of the usual duration of work on day one, 60% on day two and then increase by 20% over the next couple of days. This timeframe may be increased for workers who are not physically fit. Employees should be monitored over the next 14 days.³

Heat-Appropriate Uniform Clothes

What employees wear matters. Workers wouldn’t go out in a snowstorm without appropriate outerwear. They dress for the weather to be more comfortable and productive. The same should be true for work done in the heat.

Vestis® has a wide range of uniform clothes and workwear options from shorts, work shirts, polos, safety gear and chef wear that are specifically designed to help keep workers cool.

Look for lightweight, breathable, moisture-wicking options that help keep workers drier and more comfortable.

Vestis FlexFit™ uses innovative technology to take performance fabric to the next level. Not only does it wick moisture away and dries quickly, but it also has superior stretch and shape retention. Additionally, it is fade, stain and shrink resistant for easy, no-fuss wear.

Vestis also carries a big selection of hats including baseball caps, visors, enhanced vis and safari hats to help with sun protection outdoors. Our wide variety of chef hats and beanies stand up to the heat of hot kitchens indoors.

Hydrate

Employers should provide water to employees who work in the heat and workers should be encouraged to hydrate regularly — not just when they’re thirsty. OSHA recommends eight ounces of water every twenty minutes in hot conditions. For jobs that last more than two hours, they recommend electrolyte-containing beverages such as sports drinks to replace salt and other electrolytes that are lost through sweat.⁴

Rest

Breaks are necessary when working in the heat. The frequency and duration should increase as temperatures rise. Rest periods should be long enough for workers to feel some relief from the heat. This happens quicker in cooler locations. When working outside, employees should rest in shaded areas, air-conditioned vehicles, nearby buildings or tents set up with fans and/or misting devices.

Cooling Towels

Cooling towels help employees stay cool at work during long shifts, hot days or physical activity with chemical-free moisture wicking, moisture transportation and regulated evaporation. Vestis has cooling towels available for purchase that are easy to use, portable and reusable.

Working in the heat is sometimes unavoidable. But suffering and feeling less productive on the job doesn’t have to be. The old saying, “an ounce of protection is worth a pound of cure,” is sage advice when dealing with hot conditions. Preparing employees to stay cool at work in the heat pays off.

Learn how Vestis can help you build a uniform clothes program that keeps your team cool, comfortable and productive when the mercury rises.

1 https://www.osha.gov/heat-exposure

2 https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/heat-stress/about/illnesses.html

3 https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/heat-stress/recommendations/index.html

4 https://www.osha.gov/heat-exposure/water-rest-shade