Watch Out for Heat Stress

Watch Out for Heat Stress. I’m Greg Martin with today’s Fruit Grower Report.

Hot. For a lot of folks that is becoming a 4-letter word and there does not seem to be much relief in sight. Temperatures are already breaking records across the northwest and climbing well into the triple digits in many parts. People who work out doors, like farmers, ranchers and orchardists need to take extra precautions to avoid heat stress which can sneak up on you and then quickly debilitate you. There are a number of precautions you can take. Lacy Gray has more.

GRAY: A heat-related illness is a lot more serious that just being hot and can even become life threatening. Here are some simple, easy tips for staying cool when the temperature soars.

• Drink as much as one cup of water every 15 minutes.
• Know the signs and symptoms of heat-related illness.
• Pace your work and take breaks.
• Wear lightweight, light-colored clothing.
• Avoid alcohol, caffeine and heavy meals.

If you start feeling over-heated and your pulse begins to race, it means you may be in danger. Act immediately.

A Washington state safety rule requires employers to protect outdoor workers from heat-related illness. Employers must train workers and supervisors to recognize the symptoms of heat stress and how to respond, increase the amount of water available to workers when it’s hot, have the ability to appropriately respond to any worker with symptoms, and include heat-related-illness hazards in the employer’s safety program.

That’s today’s Fruit Grower Report. I’m Greg Martin on the Northwest Ag Information Network.