Be summer safe: Protect against heat caused illness while working around the farm
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EmailHealth hazards due to summer sun and higher temperatures require attention to the details of working outdoors.
The summer of 2011 has hardly begun, yet the increased warmth of mid-summer has arrived for much of Michigan. Because farming is mainly an outdoor activity, those who participate in it run a greater risk of being impacted by heat related illness during the summer months.
Under normal circumstances, the body temperature is self-regulating. When the temperature rises, the body sheds heat, either through radiation, evaporation, convection or conduction. If one of those methods fails, the buildup of excess heat can begin a cascade of bodily reactions that range from heat rash to heat stroke and potentially lead to death. There are a number of factors which increase individual risk for a heat related illness. These include;
- Age (both the elderly and infants are more susceptible to heat illnesses)
- Health factors (those with circulatory or heart problems or are physically unfit or overweight)
- The consumption of alcohol and/or drugs (including prescription drugs)
- The acclimatization to working in the heat
To avoid heat-related injuries the following guidelines should be implemented when working in the heat:
- Drink water periodically as you work—about every 15 minutes or so. Don’t wait until you’re thirsty!
- Avoid caffeinated and alcoholic drinks, as they cause the body to dehydrate faster.
- Wear lightweight, loose clothing and light colors that reflect sunlight.
- Save strenuous work for the cooler times of day, such as early morning or evening. Take periodic breaks in the shade—don’t push yourself.
- Adjust gradually to working in the heat. No matter how young or how physically fit you are, you are still susceptible to heat illness.
Heat-related illnesses are usually avoidable by planning ahead and following through on a simple set of work guidelines. The alternative simply requires doing nothing.
