Heat Effects on the Body

While we often focus on being safe at the workplace through gloves, glasses and garments, there is another factor that affects our work environment: The Weather. During the summer months, heat stress in outdoor work, factories and warehouses is a major problem. To avoid heat related stress and illness, it is important to understand how the body works. Y-pers carries a full line of products to help with relief in the heat – such as cooling towels, mesh safety vests, sweatbands and electrolyte replenishment drinks and freeze pops. These should all be a part of your summer package to defeat the heat.

First…What affect does heat have on the body?

Even when it is not warm, our bodies produce heat in 4 ways: breathing, digestion, muscle exertion and energy storage. Combining those just listed in addition to the mercury rising makes it difficult for our bodies to regulate temperature. Luckily, we are all born with thermo-regulation, which helps to maintain body temperature through perspiration (aka sweat).

Second….Risks

Thermoregulation only works to a certain extent. When outside factors, such as physical exertion and high temperature are combined the body begins to undergo stress. This can lead to decreased productivity and mental alertness. Mental alertness is one of the lead causes of accidents in the workplace. Also, sweating can lead to dehydration or heat stress.

Third – Preventing Heat Illness

Educating and providing the right resources to your employees will help prevent illness or dehydration throughout the hotter months. Employees who understand the signs of heat illness and how to combat and relieve themselves from heat stress will help lead to your business running smoothly through the summer months.

Simple things, providing enough water, longer breaks and shade, go a long way in making sure our employees stay safe. Additionally, we can provide our employees better tools to make them more comfortable. Some of these tools are:

Breathable Clothing – Cotton is a great form of fabric, but there are other materials such as mesh, which are more breathable and actually wick away sweat from the body. Additionally, wearing protective headgear is great to keep the sun off of the faces of employees.

Breathable Gloves – By purchasing gloves that have a spandex or lyrca back, the hands will be able to breathe more easily and not trap heat within the glove preventing heat rash and sweaty hands.

Fluid Replenishment – There are industrial drinks, like sqwincher, which help to replenish fluids lost by sweat. Similar to gatorade, Sqwincher is packed with electrolytes and designed for the commercial use. Sqwincher is available in a powdered concentrate, liquid or even popsicle form to help re-energize electrolytes.

Cooling Towels – Chill-Its cooling towels are a great option to work. They maintain their “cool” for hours on end and can be placed directly on the neck, arms or even underneath a hard hat.

Coveralls – Coveralls or bunny suits are typically used to keep you clean, but during the summer months they also act as a sauna by trapping your body heat within the suit and causing extreme heat.We carry a Key-Tec Cool Coverall with a breathable back and underarms so alleviate the heat from the body.

Working during the summer months is part of any business, however productivity and alertness should not be compromised due to heat. First and foremost, all employees should be informed of the first signs of heat exhaustion and dehydration. Providing your employees with the right protective gear as well as electrolyte replenishment is key to getting through the hotter months. We are interested to hear about your business and see if some of our specialized products can assist with the safety of your employees during the summer.