b'Traumatic injury rates increased by another 19 to 29% when the heat index rose to 90 to 119 degrees.5. Heat affects everyone differently. 3. To stay hydrated, workers should drink at leastTRUE: Not everyone responds the same way to high eight ounces of water every 15 to 20 minutes.temperatures. Reactions can vary based on everything from workers ages to their fitness levels. Medications TRUE: This is the standard from health agenciescan also cause heat intolerance. Examples from the such as the Centers for Disease Control andMayo Clinic include blood-pressure meds, Prevention and the Occupational Safety and Healthantihistamines and psychiatric meds such as Administration. Most people feel like, Well, Imantidepressants. thirsty, so Ill get something to drink, Xavier says. But when theres extreme heat, you have to keepPeople need to understand that, just because they feel drinking, so you never get to the point of beingfine, doesnt mean that their coworker feels fine,thirsty.Diet is important, too. The human body gets aboutXavier says. We need to watch out for each person 20% of its water from food. Watery foods includeand have that culture where you can speak up. If youre vegetables such as cucumbers and celery, plus fruitsalready taking a 10- or 15-minute break an hour and like strawberries and watermelon. During warm- youre staying hydrated and you still feel off, make sure weather months, Performance Contractors providesyou say something. Or use the buddy system and say crews with fruit and frozen pops that havesomething if your coworker looks ill. electrolytes and other essential ingredients. As Green puts it: Nobody knows your body better than 4. Energy drinks can provide a safe boost toyou do. If you start feeling ill, make sure you voice it. weary workers in the heat. FALSE: Some energy drinks contain more caffeine than soft drinks or a cup of coffee or tea. Thats a problem when your body is working to manage the heat. Drinking several energy drinks per day canBY KEN BUDDraise your caffeine levels enough to affect your heart, according to the CDC. High caffeine levels can be risky when added to the strain placed on yourKen Budd is a writer and editor based in Washing-body by heat.ton, D.C. He is the author of a memoir, The Volun-Alcohol is also problematic. Beer and booze cantourist. cause dehydration, so workers should avoid alcoholic beverages within 24 hours of laboring in the heat. One alternative beverage worth considering: sports drinks. For jobs lasting longer than two hours, OSHA recommends providing employees with beverages containing electrolytes. Typically, however, regular meals and adequate water intake should help to maintain a good electrolyte balance.21'