Picking up from where How to Prevent Heat Illnesses: Safety Tips for Outdoor Workers (Pt. 1) left off, below we will continue our discussion of summer safety for outdoor workers.

Staying hydrated and taking plenty of breaks are two things outdoor workers can do to prevent heat illnesses like heat exhaustion and heat stroke.

Specifically, while the first part of this blog focused on defining the types of heat illnesses that outdoor workers are susceptible to developing during the summertime, below, we will highlight tips for preventing heat illnesses and staying safe while working outside in the heat.

Preventing Heat Illness

To reduce the risk of developing heat illnesses this summer (or whenever working outdoors in the heat), workers should:

• Stay hydrated – While this means that outdoor workers should be drinking plenty of water whenever they may be thirsty, it also means that workers should be conscious of trying to consume water even if they don’t feel thirsty (as they will likely be sweating out a lot of water, putting them at a significant risk of dehydration). A good rule of thumb for staying hydrated while working outside in the heat is to drink some water every 15 minutes or so.
• Take plenty of breaks – Overworking oneself in the heat can quickly give way to heat illnesses. Therefore, make sure that, if or when you are working outside during the summer, you regularly take breaks. An essential part of this resting period is getting out of the sun, so make sure you have a shady spot or somewhere that is outside of the sun where you can rest.
• Wear the proper clothing – When working outside in the heat, it will be critical to wear clothing that protects your skin from the sun while still being breathable and allowing for adequate ventilation as your body cools itself down by sweating. This means that outdoor workers should wear light-colored, loose clothing that is, ideally, made of organic materials that breathe easily.Additionally, outdoor workers should try to wear hats and sunglasses and to put on sunscreen for optimal protection from the sun’s harsh summertime rays.
  

Be sure to check out the upcoming conclusion to this blog for some additional important information regarding how outdoor workers can stay safe when working in the heat.

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If you have sustained a workplace injury and are considering (or in the process of) filing a workers’ compensation claim, you cannot rely upon your employer or insurance companies to look out for your best interests. In fact, both your employer and insurance companies will be more focused on their own bottom lines instead of your current and future wellbeing. This can make the system adversarial for injured workers and potentially even put them in situations in which their legitimate workers’ compensation claims are undercut or even flat-out denied.

In such cases, it’s essential that injured workers contact the Colorado workers’ compensation lawyers at the Law Office of Michael P. Dominick. Our legal professionals are experienced at going up against corporate lawyers and insurance companies, and we have a proven track record of success when it comes to securing our Clients the maximum possible compensation for their injuries and financial losses.

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For a thorough evaluation of your case, along with expert advice on the best manner in which to move forward, call us at (303) 447-2644.