Photo credit: Microsoft Office Images
This week we’ve seen the temperatures surge over much of the U.S. into the mid-90s. And when you add in humid air, heat indexes have risen to over 100 degrees in some places. Working outside in scorching temperatures like these can be challenging and even potentially dangerous.
The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has developed a campaign called “Water. Rest. Shade.” to protect people who work outside.
When your body stops sweating, your body temperature can rise to dangerously high levels, leading to heat-related illnesses. These illnesses can include heat rash, cramps, exhaustion and heat stroke. Heat exhaustion can cause people to have on-the-job accidents, while heat stroke can lead to body organ shut down and even death.
Some signs you may be getting too hot include:
- Thirst
- Headache, dizziness or fainting
- Weakness
- Unusual fatigue
- Wet skin
- Muscle cramping
- Irritability or confusion
- Nausea or vomiting
When you experience these symptoms, you need rest, drink water and cool off to help your body recover. Some other things you can do to beat the heat when working outdoors are:
- Drink small amounts of water frequently throughout the day.
- Avoid caffeinated beverages, like sodas or coffee or alcoholic drinks, since they can dehydrate you.
- Wear light-colored, breathable, loose clothing.
- Apply sunscreen regularly (every couple of hours). Use at least an SPF of 30 or 45.
- Wear sunglasses.
- Take frequent breaks to cool off, especially during heat waves.
- Fill a spray bottle with cold water and occasionally give yourself a spritz.
- Limit your time in the heat.
- Eat lighter meals like salads or fruits and vegetables. They’ll help you stay cooler and feel less sluggish.
- Think of cool places like the pool or walking in the snow to take your mind off of the heat.
- Gradually build up to heavy work in hot conditions if you’re new to working outdoors.
- Know what to do in case of a heat-related emergency. Acting quickly can save lives.
By taking precautions against the heat before you go outside to work, you can hopefully prevent any heat-related problems from occurring.
Protect Your Feet While On-the-Job
If you work outside on your feet all day, you may experience stress and strain on your feet. Proper functional custom orthotics, like ezWalker® Performance Custom Orthotics, have been show to safeguard individuals from common work-related foot conditions like plantar fasciitis and ankle sprains from walking on uneven terrain. Custom orthotics support your feet as you work, keeping them comfortable and relieving foot fatigue after a long day on your feet.
ezWalker® custom orthotics realign your body by providing your feet with a proper foundation. They also guide your feet to a better biomechanical gait with each step you take. ezWalker® custom orthotics have been proven to improve foot health within one year of continued wear. Visit the WalkEZStore to order your pair of ezWalker® Performance Custom Orthotics today.
Because … when your feet feel good, you feel good.®
