It comes with the territory. This is an industry that has to deal with the elements; rain, heat, cold, snow, droughts… So what’s new? Why is any of this important? To continue to be productive through all of these conditions, and to look out for the health of your employees, you need to be prepared. Are your crews prepared to deal with summer’s excessive heat? Do they know the signs of heat stroke, heat exhaustion, and dehydration?
We have looked at training in the past and focused on proper use of equipment and general safety, but let’s look here at personal safety with regard to the heat. Water is a precious commodity that you hear being discussed every day with regards to irrigation and how much is allowed to be used on lawns and landscape. You know that it is healthy for us to drink water, but from a safety standpoint it is something that is key during this time of year. Are your crews drinking enough water? Do you provide the resources for them to have enough water through the day? (i.e. 5 gal. jugs filled with ice and water; ice machines for them to use; production managers or supervisors going around to make sure they continue to have enough to drink, etc…)
It is important for people to know how much water they should be drinking and how to recognize the signs of dehydration. Some of the signs of dehydration include; a dry mouth, the lack of sweat – especially noticeable when working outside – muscle cramps, nausea and lightheadedness. You should hold safety meetings with your crews and make sure that they know how to recognize the signs of dehydration and what to do to prevent it.
Dehydration is one of the many concerns about working outside, but what about that beautiful sunshine? When I worked in the field, everyone was jealous that I was outside all day getting a tan. As science continues to tell us, the sun, while providing beneficial Vitamin D, also has a negative effect on our skin. Make sure that you are providing proper protection from the sun. Are your crews wearing proper clothing such as long sleeves and pants? Do they have hats on to protect their heads and provide a little shade to their faces? Are all of the trucks equipped with sunscreen that can be applied throughout the day to exposed skin to prevent sunburn or sun poisoning? All of these little steps help to prevent future skin cancer and skin blemishes.
How about heat stroke or heat exhaustion? Look for the symptoms of this; high body temperature, rapid pulse, difficulty breathing, confusion, disorientation, etc… Your crews need to know how to recognize these symptoms and what to do. Spending a little time with your crews now preparing and knowing little steps to prevent the condition will save you time and money and prevent a major accident from occurring. Work with your crews that are out in the heat to look for areas that they can find shade for breaks from the heat. Encourage them to get into the air conditioning in the truck periodically to cool down. Some companies have even adjusted work hours to prevent being out in the heat of the day. These are just a few ideas, but great ways to start thinking about how to beat the heat.
No matter what weather conditions you and your crew members are facing, being prepared is the key. There are a multitude of resources available to help you with training for your crews and many insurance companies will also provide tools for you. Check with your insurance carrier, your local health department, industry associations and companies that specialize in training. Being prepared, and knowing how to prevent and recognize the symptoms will help everyone have an enjoyable and profitable summer season.
