The summer’s coming, we promise. No seriously, it’s right around the corner – it’ll be here before you know it. And that’s great, right? Well yes, and no.
If you’re hanging out by the pool, then great! Whenever you get too hot, you jump right in. But then again, when you’re out on the job, at work on the site or generally exposed to the sun and heat all day without a proper break, it’s a different ball game altogether.
For some jobs, it’s okay to be out all day, as long as you’re comfortable. But there’s nothing worse than trying to concentrate on your work, when you’re sweating and unable to focus. It becomes at best frustrating, but at worst, dangerous.
Heat related illnesses can seriously affect your ability to work. On average 3100 American workers suffer a heat related illness that causes them to miss work, each and every year. So it’s important to know how to keep cool, and also keep working.
Heat Stroke, Heat Exhaustion, Heat Cramps, Heat Rashes – they can all be seriously dangerous, so it’s important to not only recognize when they’re happening, but to cut out the chances of them happening in the first place. A few tips to keep you safe might seem pretty obvious, but they can also save your life:
- If possible, acclimatize for up to a week before working in hot weather conditions. This allows your body to gradually get used to the heat.
- Drink plenty of water before you get thirsty. Once you’re thirsty, you’re already dehydrated, so drink every 15 minutes if you can.
- Wear loose, light clothing where you can. This means sweat can evaporate.
- Use sunscreen always, because once you burn, it means your body is already losing the ability to cool itself.
- Try and wear a hat – it gives you not only that slice of all-important shade, but if it’s got some ventilation all the better, because more heat can escape.
- If you feel yourself starting to feel weary in the heat, stop right away. Take a break, drink some water and try to cool off.
- And whatever you do, don’t drink alcohol or caffeine – they both increase the rate of dehydration.
It might seem like a bit of a stretch, but heat stress is a serious business and the summer out there at work can be long. But that’s all great in theory, but what if you can’t find the right work wear to help you stay cool out there?
Well with that in mind, we’ve discovered some neat little innovations for the working person. And one we wanted to focus on was a company called Occunomix. They work in the extremes of hot, cold, and rain. And their gear is designed to work most effectively in each environment the working person might encounter.
They make FR gear, hi-vis garments, hard hats, bump caps and anti-vibration gloves. But they also make clothes and equipment for people who have to work out in the heat, too. Just click here and see all the awesome cooling products offered by Working Person’s Store!
