Time to Review the Precautions for Heat Stress

I think that card and advice is a little dated. Drinking just water (the only thing they mentioned), is not good since sweating causes losses in potassium and sodium.

I think just water is fine, as long as you eat healthy.

My guys work outside in the desert and they drink nothing but water. They each have a round insulated 3 gal cooler filled with frozen and some non-frozen bottled water, and misters. We have a standard sized refrigerator that is always full with nothing but water. They wouldn't use the moist neck bands for some reason. They are never more than 1/4 mile from the office, so they are never in remote locations.

We also have a rule that if the outside temperature reaches 110°F, they go home, with pay. Sometimes, I send them home sooner depending on the conditions and what they have been doing. Two of our guys had to dig a 12 foot x 18 inch deep x 6 inch wide ditch. It was morning and shaded, but they were whipped after they spent 3 hours digging it. I gave them the rest of the day off.

We're not first responders. Our jobs are not critical.

I will print out the charts and distribute them.

Thanks to Milo.

For the most part I would agree. But heat cramps are from loss of sodium, from sweating. You would have to be working hard, and sweating like a pig for a long time, but it is recommended to drink something like the "G" drink. http://www.bt.cdc.gov/disasters/extremeheat/faq.asp

I applaud your attitude in sending your people home when it is =>110. Not all employers/supervisors take care of their people like they should.

They also go home if it rains. Of course, it IS the desert.

It helps that I started out as one of "them". I know what it's like out there.

They appreciate that I do care.

Heat stress nearly killed me in 2008. Was hospitalized for six days after being in the E.R. for nearly ten hours, most of which I don't remember.