As the hottest days of summer approach in Kansas, Tawnie Larson, a project consultant for agriculture health and safety at Kansas State University, is urging farmers to prioritize safety during hot weather conditions.
Larson advises farmers to wear lightweight, long-sleeved, light-colored clothing or consider using cooling vests, which function like portable air conditioning units. These vests utilize specialized fabrics and fibers to circulate cooling materials, helping to regulate body temperature during sweltering days.
For added protection from the sun, Larson recommends using equipment with canopies, such as Rollover Protection Structures (ROPS) equipped with sunshades. ROPS with canopies offer continuous safety benefits as they cannot be folded down, providing operators with protection from rollovers. Enclosed cabs in certain equipment often come with built-in air conditioning and ROPS, offering both rollover safety and heat-related illness prevention.
Understanding that individuals react differently to heat, Larson emphasizes the importance of listening to one's body. Taking frequent breaks and seeking shelter indoors during the hottest part of the day, typically between 3 p.m. and 6 p.m., can help prevent heat-related issues.
To stay adequately hydrated, Larson suggests following recommendations from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), which include drinking one cup of water every 15-20 minutes, even before feeling thirsty. Minimizing consumption of sugary and alcoholic beverages is advised, while replacing lost salt and minerals through snacks or sports drinks can be beneficial.
Larson highlights the symptoms of heat stroke, such as high body temperature, hot and dry skin, rapid pulse, headache, dizziness, nausea, confusion, and loss of consciousness. In the event of heat stroke, immediate action is crucial, including calling emergency services (e.g., 9-1-1), moving the person to a cooler location, lowering their body temperature with cool clothing, and refraining from providing any fluids.
Different from heat stroke, heat exhaustion is usually less severe and presents symptoms such as heavy sweating, cold and clammy skin, weak pulse, nausea, fatigue, headache, and fainting. Larson advises individuals experiencing heat exhaustion to seek a cool place, loosen clothing, cool down, sip water, and consider medical attention if symptoms persist beyond an hour or worsen.
By following these safety measures, farmers and outdoor workers can protect themselves from heat-related risks and ensure their well-being during the summer months.
Photo Credit: GettyImages-sisoje
Categories: Kansas, Rural Lifestyle, Farm Safety, Weather