If you work in an outdoor environment, you are at the mercy of whatever nature throws at you. Hot work can be dangerous, and employers can be reluctant to make allowances for extreme conditions. But there are some ways that you can tackle the heat and go home in one piece (hopefully!)
- Wear light coloured, loose fitting clothing. It’s surprising what a difference the colour of clothing can make when it’s hot – dark clothing will definitely make you hotter. The type of fabric is also important. A loose – weave fabric allows air to circulate and helps the skin to breathe. Cotton is not necessarily the best choice in humid conditions as it can soak up a lot of sweat, making evaporation more difficult. The evaporation of sweat is one of the major cooling mechanisms of the body, and if this process is slowed down or hindered, overheating can occur.
- Put an extra bottle of water in the freezer the night before. Take your regular water bottle for use in the morning, and by the middle of the day, the frozen bottle should have melted somewhat, leaving you with nice cool water to drink during the hottest part of the day. Drinking cool fluids helps to bring the body’s temperature down if hot work has left you overheated.
Athletes and sportspeople are at risk of heat stress - Wear a hat with a wide brim. Nerve cells are particularly vulnerable to heat stress, and the brain is full of them. So the brain needs protection from the heat more than any other part of the body. In humid conditions, a straw hat might work better than a hat made from heavier material. Straw is very breathable, with lots of holes, and in humid conditions, it’s important to let air circulate around the head as much as possible. There won’t be much evaporation if you are wearing a hat made out of heavy material and working in humid heat, so your head can overheat, leading to headaches and worse.
- Run cool water over your hands, and arms, and wash your face in cool water – you’ll feel better. Running cool water over your arms helps to cool the blood down, although other areas of the body have a greater blood flow (the neck and back, under the armpits, and the groin). The cooled blood circulates through your body and helps to bring your core temperature down.
- If you are starting to feel unwell from the heat, stop! In most countries, employers have a responsibility to employees for their health and safety, and you have the right to speak up and tell your boss that the heat is making you feel unwell. Silence for the sake of keeping the boss happy is not worth your health. Heat illnesses can be serious, even fatal, and it’s better to speak up than pay the price with your health. Ask your boss for regular breaks so you can stop to recover from the heat. Perhaps the boss might be happy to negotiate on working hours so you avoid working in the hottest part of the day – it’s worth a try!
- During hot work, maintain a positive mental attitude – it’s surprising what a difference this can make to how you feel. Dwelling on how hot and uncomfortable you are is guaranteed to make you feel worse. So will counting down the hours till the end of work – time seems to drag and you end up feeling discouraged by how long you have to go till you can stop. Find ways of taking your mind off your current circumstances, and you’ll be surprised at how quickly the day goes by. Sing, whistle, chat to a colleague, or look forward to your next project or adventure – it all helps to pass the time in a pleasant frame of mind.
Splashing water on your face makes you feel refreshed and alive - When you stop for lunch, try to find a shady place to sit down, and if possible, take your shoes and socks off, and sit your feet in a bucket of water. Not only is this refreshing, it helps your body to cool down, as the cooled blood will circulate. After a while the water will start to feel warm, but it’s done its job, and is helping you to feel cooler and more refreshed.
- Carry a cloth with you, and when you stop for lunch, wet it and place it over your face or forehead. This works well in heat that is dry rather than humid, and it feels very refreshing. It works best if there is a breeze to evaporate the moisture and cool you down, or you might be able to sit under a fan – or even carry a small hand held fan with you. Your skin will feel tingly, firm and refreshed if you cool it down with a breeze on a wet cloth.
- Freezing a small gel pack and placing it under your hat works well if hot work gives you headaches. If you have access to a freezer at work, you can freeze several (they thaw out quicker than the solid ice bricks do) and rotate them. Sitting directly on top of your head, under your hat, they mold to the shape of your head and help to keep it cool. In my experience, this was one of the best ways to avoid a heat – induced headache.
- If all else fails – start a water fight! Having fun at work can make unpleasant conditions more enjoyable, and let’s face it, you really want to get back at that coworker/boss/annoying visitor who’s been harassing you all day! Some workplaces frown on watery shenanigans and other fun, but if you’re lucky enough to have a more relaxed boss, hot work can be enjoyable at times. Fun is energizing, not just from the refreshment of being wet, but from the interaction with others in a social way, rather than work being strictly business.
Hot work doesn’t have to be unbearable. Following some simple steps can enable you to endure the heat without feeling miserable, and you might even be able to enjoy yourself!
For more information on preventing heat stress, see https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/healthyliving/heat-stress-preventing-heatstroke