b'multiple floors, so workers at high elevations dont have Beat the Heat to come down to ground level for a drink. They provide large water containers not just for drinking but so workers can immerse their hands and forearms to reduce their skin and core temperature. They religiously emphasize safety procedures in daily meetings.In July 2023, at a construction site in Kansas City,And yet some aspects of heat-related illnesses are still Missouri, 29 men and three women started theirsurprising. Want to test your heat expertise? Take this workday in an unusual way: by swallowing a pill- true/false quiz. sized data-collection device. The devices would monitor their body temperature as they labored in1. Crews are often dehydrated before they arrive at heat that averaged around 88 degrees, with 50 toa worksite. 70% humidity. The results were alarming. Over three days of dataTRUE: In the University of New Mexico study, this was collection, 43% of workers body temperaturethe most eye-opening result. More than 60% of reached 100.4 degreesthe level of a low-gradeworkers were already dehydrated when they arrived at fever, the University of New Mexicoled studythe job. In a similar study from the University of found. And 4% of workers exceeded 101.3Copenhagen, roughly 70% of workers in five different degrees.industries, including construction, were dehydrated when they began their workday. Keeping workers safe is a growing challenge in a rapidly warming world. The 10 hottest years onCrews should begin hydrating the day before theyre record have all occurred since 2013, with 2023exposed to the heat. Hydration is a 24-hour long breaking thermometers as the hottest year ever,preparation process that involves consuming fluids the according to data from the National Oceanic andentire day prior to when youll be outside for an Atmospheric Administration. El Paso, Texas,extended period of time, according to University of endured 44 days of temperatures at or over 100Iowa Health Care. degrees last summer, beating the previous record of 23 consecutive days in 1994. Phoenix sufferedWe preach this in safety meetings: As the heat starts 31 straight days of 110 degrees or higher in 2023,to increase throughout the day, you cant wait until you shattering the old record by 13 days; somestart feeling ill to hydrate yourself, says Ledon Green, projections show the Arizona city facing 102 days avice president with the Houston office of Performance year of extreme heat by 2050.Contractors, ABCs 2023 Contractor of the Year. If you wait until you start feeling ill, its too late. For workers, searing temperatures can increase the risk of conditions such as heat rash, heat cramps,2. Heat stroke only causes physical symptoms. heat exhaustion, heat stroke and dehydration. Heat-related illnesses can lead to a higher risk of hospitalization for heart disease, according to theFALSE: Heat strokewhich happens when body U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.temperature reaches 104 degreescan traumatize the Dehydration can cause kidney issues and blood- human body. Symptoms can include nausea and pressure problems; heat stroke can inflict brainvomiting, flushed skin, rapid breathing, seizures and an injuries and even result in death.accelerated heart rate. But it can also affect behavior and mental state, resulting in confusion, agitation, Most companies have strict programs in place toslurred speech, delirium and irritability. prevent heat-related illnesses. They start work early and modify schedules depending on the heat,One of the effects of heat is that people tend to be provide crews with water, rest and shade, andmore forgetful, and they tend to have shorter tempers, maintain logs to monitor water intake. They trainsays Joe Xavier, ABCs senior director of safety. staff about heat symptoms, urge them to reveal if theyre feeling ill and encourage them to watch forThe mental and physical strain can affect safety. In a struggling coworkers. They have an emergency- 2022 Oregon State University study of the states preparedness plan and first-aid procedures inagricultural and construction sectors, traumatic injury place.rates rose significantly when the heat index was above 75 degrees, compared to more moderate weather. On elevated jobs, companies provide water onTraumatic injury rates increased by another 19 to 29% (continued to page21) 8'