By Gianni Scarcello
For employees in construction, there are many dangers that we can face on a daily basis. While there are steps we can take to try and eliminate all the hazards found in the workplace, not everything can be fully eliminated. Hydration plays a crucial role in the construction industry, ensuring the well-being and safety of workers while enhancing overall productivity. Construction work often involves physically demanding tasks performed in challenging environments, making proper hydration essential for maintaining optimal performance and preventing heat-related illnesses. However, we must make sure that everyone is properly hydrated to avoid any potentially serious illness and injuries while working in the heat.
First off, it is important to understand how the body handles heat. The human body maintains a constant internal temperature, or at least tries to, even when it is exposed to different environmental temperatures. To cool itself down, the body will increase blood circulation and release sweat onto the skin through glands. As the sweat evaporates off your skin, this process creates a cooling effect, which helps the body regulate its temperature back to normal ranges.
Problems can increase when the ambient temperature is becoming warmer. The sweat produced by your glands may not evaporate off the surface of your skin. When this occurs, or rather, does not occur, your body is not able to cool itself down. Several factors such as humidity and heavy clothing can hinder your ability to allow sweat to evaporate.
"Staying hydrated isn’t something that you should only worry about while you are on the job."
In order to continue to operate, the human body needs to replenish fluids to maintain its control over critical organ and muscle function. This is why it is important to continue to drink fluids before, during, and after working in environments where your body is sweating. It is important to remember that by the time you are feeling thirsty, dehydration may be setting in already.
Staying hydrated isn’t something that you should only worry about while you are on the job. Your body needs to begin the process even the day before you may be exposed to heat and high-level activity.
NIOSH recommends fluid replacement for treatment for heat exhaustion and as a preventative measure to avoid it in the first place. Along with NIOSH, ACGIH (American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists) and OSHA recommend drinking every 15-20 minutes to stay sufficiently hydrated. Not only will this help your body maintain a safe core body temperature, but it should help to lead to fewer heat-related illnesses and injuries.
