OSHA is Campaigning to Prevent Heat Illness in Outdoor Workers
Heat Illness can affect anyone working outside. This includes crane operators, riggers, signalpersons, inspectors, and supervisors. You do not have to exert much energy to become dehydrated, but the more you work in the heat, the more likely you are to be affected by heat illness such as, mild heat rash to the more severe heat stroke.
To prevent heat illness:
• Keep water in your tool belt, drinking every 15 minutes even if you don’t feel thirsty.
• Avoid sports drinks, which contrary to popular thinking, will dehydrate you.
• Try to rest in shaded areas to cool down
• Keep your neck cool by wearing a hard hat neck shade
• Wear hats, sunglasses, and light-colored clothes
• Be aware of heat illness warning signs
• Keep an eye on co-workers
• Ease into working in heat until your body gets used to it.
Learn more about Heat Illness and this Campaign from OSHA.