Beat the Heat While Working Outside

By Evelyn Witterholt, RCS Reporter

Be smart, stay cool and prevent injuries caused by heat.

Summer is here, and as many roofing industry workers know, so is the brutal heat. Help prevent injuries from exposure to heat and potentially save a life.

What affects body heat?

Everyone experiences heat differently, so there isn’t a simple answer regarding how much heat is too much. Generally speaking, the normal core body temperature you want to maintain is 98.6° F. According to Cheryl Ambrose, NRCA’s director of enterprise risk management, there are a variety of factors that influence the body’s ability to maintain core temperature, including:

• Clothing
• Amount of direct sunlight exposure
• Air temperature and humidity
• Physical activity levels
• Hydration
• Health conditions
• Age

Overheating can progress to heat exhaustion quickly, which, if not treated, can turn into heat stroke. If you don’t act fast when you recognize the symptoms — moist or dry and hot skin, irregular breathing — heatstroke can turn deadly. Knowing the warning signs and how to manage exposure to heat are vitally important to keeping your crews safe.

Overheating prevention

Here’s how you can make sure the crew you’re overseeing or working alongside is not suffering from overheating after prolonged exposure to the heat:

1 – Stay hydrated

Having a hydration plan is one of the best ways to keep your crew cool in the summertime. When you exert yourself in the heat, you lose the fluids you’ve consumed rapidly, so you’ll need to replenish them. The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) recommends drinking eight ounces of water every 15-20 minutes. It also recommends drinking sports drinks to replenish electrolytes. Just watch out for drinks high in sugar as these can dehydrate you more.

2 – Take rest breaks

Implementing a rest plan also can prevent heat injuries amongst your crew. Make sure there’s a shady place for the crew to rest throughout the day and have them take breaks every few hours.

3 – Have an emergency plan

Ultimately one of the best things you can do is be prepared for any possible occurrence. Knowing what heat stress and heat stroke look like and acting accordingly can prevent fatalities. You also should have an emergency response plan in place for if and when an emergency occurs. Use the rapid cooling method to help lower a crew member’s body temperature before emergency responders arrive to help. This includes tarp-assisted cooling and full-body immersion in water that’s 62° F or less.

For more information about beating the heat while working outside, check out the resources NRCA has to offer.

Learn more about NRCA in their RoofersCoffeeShop® Directory or visit www.nrca.net.