Australia can be a harsh country. With its diverse climates and terrains, working conditions can present as some of the most challenging in the world. Not to mention, dangerous.
Heat stress can be a major health hazard for workers who are exposed to the elements or work in high temperatures. And employers have a duty of care to ensure their staff are safe from dehydration and sunburn.
Our bodies are comprised of 60% water and dehydration occurs when you lose 1% or more of your body mass in fluid through sweating and other bodily functions. This can adversely impact mood, memory, vision and motor performance.
What this translates to is an increased risk of injury and accidents in the workplace and lowered productivity. A 2% loss of fluids can result in a 50% decrease in work performance. More severe dehydration can be fatal.
In addition to water, we need electrolytes to stay hydrated. The body functions by sending electrical impulses from and to the brain. Electrolytes are chemicals that help conduct these signals. Through sweating, we lose electrolytes, and this can interrupt the impulse transmission and homeostasis in our bodies, leading to fainting, seizures, and inadequate hydration.
A good solution is to provide your team with electrolytes on the go. Sqwincher offers a range of low-cost, low-sodium electrolytes that come in concentrates, powders, and ready-to-drink forms so workers can easily stay hydrated throughout the day.
“Workers wouldn’t think twice about the use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) when entering a worksite. So, it’s important an effective hydration plan is part of your PPE. It can mean the difference between life or death,” says Brad Houlihan of Pryme Australia.
Sun protection is also essential for outdoor workers. Australia has the highest rate of skin cancer in the world, so providing PPE like hats, long-sleeved shirts and sunglasses is necessary but even then, sun reflection and its ultraviolet light (UV) can do irreversible damage, even on a cold day.
That’s why sunscreen should be an essential part of PPE. Hamilton has been making sun protection products specifically for Australia’s harsh climate for 90 years. Products within the Active Family or Sensitive SPF 50+ ranges such as the Hamilton Active Family 110g Tube gives strong protection but is still lightweight, dry-touch and fast absorbing.
“Sunscreen cannot be effective if workers won’t comply because it’s sticky or hard to apply. So, we’ve taken particular care in supporting individual and business preferences, such as ‘workers own smaller tube’ or ‘business large pump packs’,” says Melissa Sommerville of Key Pharmaceuticals.
If your workers are consistently exposed to high heat and the sun, make sure you’re taking measures to keep them safe so they can keep a cool head on the job. And always read the label and follow the directions for use.
This article first appeared in the latest edition of Safety Spotlight. For more safety articles like this one, click below to checkout the online version of the magazine.