Summer has hit the U.S. with full force. Temperatures in July soared to extreme heights as the entire nation experienced a scorching heatwave. With health risks including heat cramps, heat exhaustion, and heatstroke, people across the country have been warned about the dangers of constant exposure.
“Heat-related illnesses and death can occur in minutes on days such as these in cases of over-exertion or entrapments in hot vehicles,” wrote one weather forecaster in Philadelphia. “Because of this, extreme caution should be exercised over the weekend with regards to the heat.”
The prediction — which came true — stated that 86% of the lower 48 states will have experienced high temperatures of at least 90 degrees, and close to 50% will see temperatures exceed 95 degrees. As the heatwave in Quebec proved last summer (where up approximately 70 people died), those at the most risk are the elderly, the chronically ill, children, and outdoor workers.
Since the heat and humidity don’t seem to be letting up any time soon, it’s more important than ever that construction workers have access to temporary cooling areas on location. HVAC rentals and dehumidifiers can go a long way in keeping the human body at a safe and stable temperature, but only if companies take the time (and spend the money) to ensure they’re set up and functional. If you notice the following signs of heatstroke in your coworkers or family members, it’s vital that you take action immediately.
- Throbbing headache
- Dizziness and light-headedness
- Lack of sweating despite the heat
- Red, hot, and dry skin
- Muscle weakness or cramps
- Nausea and vomiting
- Rapid heartbeat, which may be either strong or weak
- Rapid, shallow breathing
- Behavioral changes such as confusion, disorientation, or staggering
- Seizures
- Unconsciousness
If a person’s core body temperature reaches 104 degrees Fahrenheit or above, they’ll need to be cooled as soon as possible. Rather than take the risk by allowing your workers or family members to sit in such blistering heats for long periods of time, invest in a temporary cooling solution; the costs only increase if you delay, and can be deadly if they’re wholly ignored.
Visit Total Construction Rentals at https://heatmyjob.com/ today for your cooling and dehumidifier needs this summer.
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