Many employees spend some part of their working day in a hot environment. Workers at construction projects, foundries, laundries and bakeries, among others, often face hot conditions that pose special hazards to safety and health. The South Carolina Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation, Office of Occupational Safety and Health (S.C. OSHA) offers the following safety information regarding heat stress:
- Be aware of the signs and symptoms of heat stress and know proper first aid should you or a coworker suffer heat exhaustion or heat stroke.
- Acclimatize yourself to the heat with a work/rest schedule that gradually allows your body to adjust to working in hot environments.
- Drink plenty of water before, during and after you work in the heat, even if you don’t feel thirsty. Avoid alcohol and caffeine, since they act as diuretics and flush fluids out of your body.
- Schedule your work for the coolest parts of the day whenever possible and take frequent rest breaks in a cool, shady area.
- Wear loose clothing that can wick the moisture from your skin. This will aid the evaporation of sweat and help cool your body.
- If you are taking medications, check with your doctor on any special precautions you should observe before working in the heat.