Running a business in a hot place like Miami is not easy, as the weather is hot throughout the year. Here are some safety tips employees need to keep in mind while working in hot places.
The weather in Miami is tropical throughout the year — the summers are hot and humid, while winter is short and warm. With such climatic conditions, warehouses tend to get hotter and employees take the brunt of it, as they are constantly up and about, ensuring operations are smooth.
Employees get enough breaks, however, they need to take care of themselves extra, compared to other parts of the USA. Long working hours can sometimes take a toll on them and keeping the employees safe has been a priority for FulfillmentHubUSA. To do so, here are a few tips to follow when working in hot weather.
1. Hydrate, hydrate, and hydrate again
Employees need to take plenty of water. Fresh, clean water can replace the liquids you lose by sweating and if not replaced, one can suffer from dehydration and heat-related issues. The key is to drink water even before you feel thirsty and to keep sipping water throughout the day.
2. Take breaks
Take adequate breaks apart from drinking plenty of water. Employees need to take a break, eat something, rehydrate, and most importantly, get away from the sun. Pick a cool spot while resting, this helps employees be more productive and ensures they are in good health.
3. Keep an eye on heat-related illness
Heat-related illness often shows up after a few symptoms. If you feel any of the following or if an employee complains about the same, pay attention immediately and seek medical attention.
• Profuse sweating
• Dizziness
• Headache
• Confusion
• Inability to focus
• Irritability
• Nausea
• Muscle cramps
4. Protection against the sun
Any employee, working in the sun, or outdoors away from the shade needs to protect himself. Sunscreen is a good start. Reapply sunscreen at frequent intervals. Apart from this, ensure that you wear a hat to keep direct sunlight away from your head and if possible, find ways to cover any exposed skin. If there are new employees on a shift, give them time to acclimatize, it is important.
5. Take care of the equipment
Just like humans, machines can also overheat. Ensure that the machines and equipment used are maintained at frequent intervals and switch them off when not in use. Machines can overheat and cause a fire accident, injuring the employees and damaging the surroundings.