When you’re in the construction business, you’re expected to do whatever it takes to get the job done, even when it means spending long hours working outside in extreme heat and humidity. If you neglect to take care of yourself on the job, you may fall victim to one of two dangerous heat-related illnesses: heat exhaustion and heat stroke. Fortunately, there are safety precautions you can take to ensure that you don’t find yourself in the hospital after a day on the job. Find out what you can do today to prevent suffering from heat exhaustion or heat stroke during the extreme heat of the summer months.
Find out what you can do today to prevent suffering from heat exhaustion or heat stroke during the extreme heat of the summer months.
Signs and Symptoms of Heat Exhaustion and Heat Stroke
The average body temperature is 98.6°F. However, when the body is subjected to strenuous exercise and hard work in extreme heat, it has to work harder to cool itself down. If you’re dehydrated or overdressed, this can impede the process as well. It’s important to be able to recognize the signs that your body may be reacting adversely to the extreme heat. If you have any of the following signs, you need to stop working immediately and seek medical help:
- Headache
- Nausea/vomiting
- Dizziness
- Weakness/faintness
- Low blood pressure
- Mental confusion
- Fever
- Heavy sweating and hot, dry, red skin
Coping with Extreme Heat Conditions
If you have most of those symptoms, or even just a few, it’s important to get the medical help you need. You can prevent these symptoms from occurring by drinking water constantly and staying hydrated, resting frequently in the shade, wearing light clothing including hats, and most importantly – looking out for your coworkers! If you see a coworker that just doesn’t look so good, offer to get him or her some water and suggest that they sit down in the shade for a few minutes. If symptoms do not resolve within 30 minutes, you should call 911. If heat exhaustion is allowed to progress to heat stroke, it becomes life-threatening and requires immediate medical attention.
About Reliable Contracting
Reliable is dedicated to delivering quality products, displaying professionalism within the firm, seeking new opportunities for expansion and profitability, and providing an environment for individual success. If you have a commercial or residential construction project you need taken care of, please contact Anne Arundel County’s largest site-work contractor today by calling 410-987-0313 or visiting our website. You can also follow Reliable Contracting on Facebook, Google+, LinkedIn, Pinterest, and Twitter!
Reliable Contracting Company serves the following and surrounding counties: Annapolis, Queen Anne’s, Anne Arundel, Baltimore, Baltimore City, Calvert, Caroline, Charles, Howard, Prince George, St. Mary’s, Talbot, and Washington D.C.