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SUMMER HAZARDS Hydrating in the Heat Manop Boonpeng/Shutterstock.com Drinking water and staying hydrated is a small task that can make a huge difference. BY ALEX SAURMAN With summer and warm temperatures just around the corner, many employees will soon—if they haven’t already—find themselves working in the heat. When the sun comes out, everyone needs to take extra precautions to ensure heat-related injuries, illnesses and fatalities are avoided. One component of staying safe in the heat is something many people do daily but might not think about: staying hydrated. The importance of hydration cannot be overstated. Per the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, high temperatures and physical exertion can lead to a greater chance of dehydration.1 Why is this a concern? Besides the fact that water keeps our bodies functioning and helps us maintain a healthy body temperature, dehydration can lead to heat injury and illness, seizures, weakness, organ damage and, in severe cases, death. How Much Water Should Employees Drink? Hydration shouldn’t start the moment you clock in—it should begin well before. According to the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), not only do workers want to ensure that they’re hydrated prior to starting work, but they also need to drink water before the feeling of thirst sets in. When this happens, the body may already be dehydrated. The amount of water people should drink on a daily basis differs for everyone. Activity level, health concerns, medication and temperature all play a role in how much a person should consume.2 However, when it comes to staying hydrated while working in the heat, the answer is a little clearer. Every 15 to 20 minutes, employees in hot temperatures should drink eight ounces of water, according to NIOSH. Waiting longer between drinking—even if higher quantities are consumed— is not recommended as “drinking at shorter intervals is more effective,” per the agency. Although water is vital, drinking too much can have negative consequences. When working in high temperatures, NIOSH and OSHA say employees should avoid consuming more than 48 ounces every hour or 48 cups in 24 hours. When work is done for the day, don’t clock out on staying hydrated. During a shift, especially in extreme temperatures, employees can sweat, causing water and salts, or electrolytes, to leave the body. These need to be replenished. CanYouTellWhenYou’reHydrated? Although it’s helpful to know how much water to consume and when to consume it, how can employees tell if they’re sufficiently hydrated or if they need to drink more water? Luckily, there’s a simple solution: look at the color of your urine. Although there are many ways to check your hydration 78 Occupational Health & Safety | JUNE 2023 www.ohsonline.com