Farming is Hot

Farmers are exposed to extreme heat and work in hot environments in the summer. This puts them at risk for heat stress, which can result in illnesses and injuries.

Heat stress can result in heat stroke (the most serious heat-related disorder), heat exhaustion, heat cramps, or heat rashes. Heat can also increase farmers' risk of injuries as it may result in sweaty palms, fogged-up safety glasses, and dizziness. In addition, hot surfaces may cause burns.

There is a greater risk of heat stress for those who are 65 years of age and older, are overweight, have heart disease or high blood pressure, or take medications that may be affected by extreme heat.

It is important for farmers to prevent heat stress in themselves and their workers. To do that they must understand what it is, how it affects them, and how to prevent it.

Here are a few tips to help prevent heat stress:

• Schedule hot jobs for the cooler part of the day
• Reduce the physical demands
• Have extra help
• Drink plenty of water/liquids
• Take rest periods with water breaks
• Have an area to cool off during breaks
• Monitor yourself and workers who are at risk of heat stress

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration has released an app for mobile phones that displays the risk level based on the heat index. Click here for more information and to download the app.

Click here for more tips on avoiding heat stress.