We asked Flagger Force employees to share their tips to beat the heat and stay safe on hot and humid days. We got some great tips that we wanted to share with everyone!
Vickie Smith recommends being prepared with ice cold water and sun screen.
Hydration was mentioned as the key from Beth Stoner, Barbara Smith and Dominic Schiano. Dominic also mentioned keeping sports drinks on hand to replenish your body with electrolytes.
Ronald Williams reminded us that it is important to take plenty of breaks.
Both Jamie Mitten and Tonya Linigan like to cool down by making a t-shirt ice cold with water. Jamie also mentioned keeping plenty of ice on hand in a cooler and wearing a cool gel neck wrap.
Amanda Sutter let us know that most larger retailers sell a sweat band that you wet with water that works great and keeps you cool.
Here are some additional sun safety tips on beating the heat from our latest edition of “In The Zone” that are important to remember during work or play in the coming Summer months.
Block out UV Rays
For professions that require workers to work outdoors, typically the summer months mean more work, long hours, high temperatures and an overload of sun exposure. You must pay attention to the sun’s UV rays; if you do not properly protect yourself, sun exposure can have long-term harmful effects. It is important for outdoor workers to protect themselves by liberally and frequently applying sunscreen, covering up their skin with long sleeved clothing and pants, wearing hats and sunglasses, and seeking shade whenever possible and safe to do so. Here are a few tips to protect your body from the sun’s harmful rays.
Cover up
Wear tightly woven, light-colored clothing that blocks out light, but avoid dark colors as they absorb the sun’s rays. Try this test to see if the fabric is protective enough: Place your hand between a single layer of the clothing and a light source. If you can see your hand through the fabric, the garment does not offer enough sun protection and you should seek a fabric with a tighter knit.
Use sunscreen
A sun protection factor (SPF) of at least 15 blocks 93% of UV rays, but SPF 50 or higher is best. You want to block both UVA and UVB rays to guard against skin cancer. Be sure to reapply often and don’t forget your hands, nose, ears and lips!
Wear UV-blocking safety glasses
All styles of Flagger Force safety glasses block 99.9% of UV rays, including our clear and yellow lenses.
Wear a neck covering
A bandanna or other neck covering fabric will keep your body cool and shielded from the sun. You can even find neck coverings made just for outdoor workers that attach to the band inside your hard hat.
Stay hydrated on the job
Drink hydrating fluids (water or sports drinks, NOT caffeinated beverages) before work, during work (with your own personal daily water supply and supplemented as needed by our new truckbased water coolers) and after work. Working outdoors in the heat causes your body to sweat out large quantities of water and salt. If you start to feel dizzy, have strong headaches, or feel nauseous, ask your coworkers for help, then seek shade and sip water gradually. Heat diseases can quickly become very dangerous, and hydration is your best defense against them.
