Water. Rest. Shade.

Tom McCarthy, Compliance Assistance Specialist

OSHA Tarrytown Area Office

Upright, bi-pedal, forward looking, binocular vision, opposable thumbs….these are characteristics we all possess that contribute to Homo Sapiens’ place as an apex predator. Sure, our advanced brains contribute to our evolutionary success, but have you ever considered the role played by the body’s cooling system? Consider ‘Persistence Hunting’: humans are capable of running after prey until the prey succumbs to heat exhaustion. How? Humans ‘thermoregulate’ by sweating; our prey can’t.

Our remarkable cooling system relies on the evaporation of sweat from our skin to maintain our core body temperature at a safe level when ambient temperatures soar. If this cooling system breaks down, we’re in serious trouble! Workers such as construction personnel, excavators, linemen, and mark out technicians* who labor in hot outdoor environments must remember to stay hydrated and get out of the sun for quick breaks during the day.

Water is our body's principal chemical component and makes up about 60 percent of our body weight. Lack of water can lead to dehydration, a condition that occurs when we don't have enough water in our body to carry out normal functions. Fact: If we’re thirsty, we’re already dehydrated. Even mild dehydration can drain your energy and make you tired. In 2010, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that 40 workers died due to heat-related causes and that 4,190 workers experienced heat illness.

It’s not just the sun that’s heating you up – it’s the work you do. As you work, your internal temperature rises as your body meets the metabolic demand you place on it. You’re being heated from the inside and the outside. Symptoms of heat illness include thirst, cramps, headaches, nausea, dizziness, weakness, heavy sweating and an increased body temperature. The symptoms of heat stress include confusion, loss of consciousness, seizures, a very high body temperature and hot, dry skin or profuse sweating.

The United States Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) recognizes the hazard, and has launched a National Heat Stress Initiative which is described at www.osha.gov. OSHA has even provided an app that you can download to your smartphone. The app combines temperature and humidity into a useful, easy to use heat index, so you can better gauge your heat risk.

Water. Rest. Shade. A simple, common sense strategy that could save your life.

References: www.osha.gov: * for more “at risk” occupations, see Heat Stress at OSHA’s web site Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research , 10/12/2011