How Can Outdoor Workers Prevent A Heatstroke?

Mike George
2 min readMar 11, 2022

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Regardless of one’s fitness level, excessive heat can take a toll on anyone working outdoors. Staying outside in the heat becomes more dangerous as the days lengthen and the temperatures rise. Understanding how to operate in extreme heat appropriately can help avoid heat-related conditions such as sunstroke.

As per the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), heatstroke happens when the body’s ability to regulate its temperature is compromised. Heatstroke can be fatal or permanently disabling if not treated quickly enough. The body’s temperature can increase to 106 ℉ or higher in as little as five to ten minutes. However, there are certain ways through which such situations can be avoided.

Let’s look at some ways outdoor workers can prevent a heatstroke while working outside.

1. Stay Hydrated

Maintaining a normal body temperature requires frequent hydration, especially important during physical activity. Before and on the day of your physical activity, make sure you’re getting enough fluids in. It’s important to replenish salts, electrolytes, and some sugar when you’re working out, so keep a sports drink like PowerAde or Gatorade on hand as well.

2. Keep Your Weight In Check

Adults that are overweight are more likely to suffer from heat-related illnesses. Having a lot of weight on your body might damage your body’s ability to control its temperature, making you accumulate more heat.

3. Minimize Caffeine Intake

It’s no secret that many of us like a cup of joe in the morning. However, excessive consumption of coffee during a heatwave can cause dehydration. Although energy drinks often contain significant amounts of caffeine, it’s best to avoid them in the summer when the temperature is particularly high.

4. Wear A Cooling Safety Vest

Cooling safety vests are a sort of clothing designed to help workers who are exposed to high temperatures maintain a comfortable internal temperature. This type of vest can be beneficial to everybody, not just those who work outdoors in hot conditions. These vests keep the wearer comfortable and safe from overheating using a built-in cooling system.

People who spend a lot of time working in hot surroundings can considerably benefit from wearing a cooling safety vest.

Looking To Get Cooling Safety Vests For Your Employees?

OutdoorAir is one of the leading providers of cooling apparel online. They have a wide range of cooling apparel online such as refrigerated long sleeve shirts, refrigerated short sleeve shirts, and a lot more.

Contact them for the best cooling safety vests in the market.

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