It is hard to ignore the heat we felt yesterday in the Twin Cities. Heat warnings and excessive heat advisories are expected to stay in effect until Wednesday morning. Heat can present a serious hazard: in 1995 over 700 people died in Chicago in a heat wave.
To keep yourself and co-workers safe:
- Dress in lightweight, light colored clothing.
- Drink plenty of water (one cup every 15 minutes) and other non-alcoholic fluids. Limit caffeine intake. Gatorade or other electrolyte replacing drinks are fine in moderation, but water should be consumed as well.
- Take more frequent breaks.
- If working outside, take rest breaks in the shade.
- Use sunscreen.
- Watch your co-workers for signs of heat stress or heat stroke.
Here are some links to check out for more information:
OSHA has a resource page dedicated to reducing heat illnesses.
NOAA – the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Questions? Please do not hesitate to contact us if you have safety-related questions or just need more information about the services we offer.