Keep Your Team Cool This Summer With These 4 Tips

Posted August 15, 2016

As we are still dealing with an El Nino, this summer could be one of the hotter ones, and that means you need to take steps to beat the heat.

First of all, it's important you acknowledge the possibility that you could overwork yourself in the heat. Whether it's out of habit or pride, some workers are in the bad habit of dismissing high temperatures and exerting themselves as hard as ever.

Don't try to be a hero. The last thing your co-workers want to do is pick you up off the floor after you've collapsed from heat exhaustion.

1. Change your routine

The day gets warmer from sunup to around 3 or 4 p.m. If you're working in the heat, be sure to take this reality into account, and if possible, get the most strenuous work done during the coolest time of your shift.

2. Watch your intake

What you put into your body can have a massive effect on how you handle the heat. It probably goes without saying you should be drinking as much water as possible. Health experts suggest you don’t wait until you feel thirsty to drink, as the sensation of thirst often occurs late in the dehydration process. Drinking about a half gallon of water throughout the day will keep you cool and hydrated.

The type of food you eat can also have an impact on your ability to beat the heat. Watery produce like watermelon or cucumbers can act as both sustenance and hydration.

3. Make arrangements to stay cool

If possible, wear loose and light clothing that breathes easily. However, summer clothing should not compromise your safety or veer into the inappropriate. A good idea is to ask your supervisor or human resources for direction on how to dress for the hot weather.

While working indoors without air conditioning, set up fans to keep air circulating around you. Often; setting up a fan to blow hot air out of your work space can be a more effective cooling method than blowing air in from outside.

While working outdoors, try to keep to the shade or set up a shady spot you can take regular breaks in. If there isn't a shady area available, wear a wide-brimmed hat to give yourself a bit of shade.

4. Strategic cooling

Our bodies have certain areas, like the wrists and behind the knees, rich with blood vessels, and cooling these areas sends cooled blood coursing through your arteries and veins. Be sure to cool these strategic areas first before moving on to the rest of your body.

There are also a number of cooling products made with certain materials or infused with a cool pack that you can also consider using, provided they conform with company regulations.

At Ambassador, the safety of our contingency workers and our clients is our top priority. If your organization needs staffing assistance this summer, please contact us today to work with one of the leading employment agencies in the South!