Editor’s Note: The following is a monthly column by Kyle Black, District Manager at Seneca Meadows Inc.
With safety as our number one core value, we are always watching out for each other. We want to make sure that at the end of every work day, our team goes home to their families – why we work safe. With warm weather upon us, we are careful to make sure everyone is hydrated and not working with undo stress due to heat and dehydration. Heat illness can creep in and then escalate quickly into a serious health issue.
According to OSHA/NIOSH the warning signs of heat exhaustion are:
– Cool, moist skin
– Heavy sweating
– Headache
– Nausea or vomiting
– Dizziness
– Light-headedness
– Weakness
– Thirst
– Irritability
– Elevated body temperature
– Decreased urine output
The OSHA campaign to avoid heat illness is Water. Rest. Shade. With summer projects, home improvements and outdoor fun we can all benefit from this campaign to stay hydrated and safe in warm weather.
Water equals hydration and a good rule of thumb according to OSHA is 4 cups per hour of water when the heat index is high working outside. We also recently learned that the right foods such as cucumbers, celery, watermelon, strawberries and cauliflower can help us hydrate, too. It’s almost local strawberry season. Be ready to head to the local food market and stock up and stay hydrated. It starts with one. You can make a difference. Encourage friends and family to do the same.
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