11 Oct 10 Tips to Stay Hydrated While Working

At Creation World Safety, your safety specialists of Torrance and Los Angeles, CA, we want to remind everyone to stay hydrated while working outside. Working in the heat and sun all day can be quite draining on the body, and you can put yourself at risk of dehydration. Our team wants to avoid this at all cost. We’ve put together the symptoms of dehydration and 10 tips to prevent it! We want to help keep you and your team hydrated throughout the day so every person is working at his or her best!

Signs & Symptoms of Dehydration

While working outside, we want you to be aware of the most common symptoms of dehydration. Our safety specialists in Torrance and Los Angeles, CA recommend looking for these signs:

• Extreme thirst
• Less frequent urination
• Dark-colored urine
• Fatigue
• Dizziness
• Confusion

If you or a team member experience one or more of these symptoms, you are most likely dehydrated. To avoid dehydration on the job and stay healthy, read our tips below!

#1 Do Not Wait Until You Feel Thirsty

Drinking water should be a consistent activity throughout the day. Never wait until you are thirsty to drink water. Instead, you should continually drinking water every 20-30 minutes to stay hydrated while working outside.

#2 Always Have a Water Bottle

The easiest way to stay hydrated is by having a refillable water bottle. Choose a bottle that will fit your needs: it holds a lot of volume, is easy to carry, and it’s convenient. By having a water bottle by your side at all times, it will become second nature to stay hydrated!

#3 Monitor Your Hydration Level with Your Urine

We know bathroom topics can be a little off-putting, but your urine can tell you a lot about your hydration level. A healthy, hydrated personal should produce a clear or light yellow urine. A dehydrated person will have a dark yellow and even brown urine. This is a quick and easy way to tell if you are drinking enough water.

#4 Drink Water Even When You Aren’t on a Shift

In order to be fully hydrated during your work shift, you must consistently be drinking water, even prior to your shift. Our safety specialists recommend constantly drinking water throughout the day, whether you are working or not. This will ensure constant hydration.

#5 Limit Your Caffeine Intake

Our Torrance and Los Angeles safety specialists suggest avoiding highly caffeinated drinks before and during your work shift. These drinks include: coffee, tea, soda, and energy drinks. Highly caffeinated drinks will increase your risk of dehydration and water loss. Stick to water and you will be just fine!

#6 Avoid Alcohol before Work

Of course, at every job you should avoid alcohol before and during your shift. We even recommend avoiding or limiting your alcohol consumption the night before your shift. If you consume alcohol 24-36 hours before your shift, your body may not recover fully and you could be at greater risk of dehydration as a result. Even if it is only one or two drinks, we suggest water to keep your body functioning at its highest level.

#7 Take Time to Eat

Taking an adequate lunch break also helps your body stay hydrated throughout the day. Much of the food we eat contains water and will help replace lost fluid in the body. While working, ensure that you are eating a balanced diet, rich with fruits, vegetables, proteins, and carbohydrates to replenish your body.

#8 Work Smarter, Not Harder

This is an age-old recommendation, but it definitely comes into play when working outside in the heat. Our safety specialists want to remind you to work in a smarter, more efficient manner, not necessarily harder. When possible, share the work with a co-worker or team member. And take care of your team members in return when you can. This way, the workload is shared to promote the best working conditions.

#9 Dress for the Job

While working, choose clothing and gear that will protect you from the environment, including the sun and heat. If it will be a hot day, wear lightweight clothing that will breath well and promote airflow.

#10 Grab Your Hat!

A hat is an easy sun protector. Today, there are hard hats with a wide brim to protect your face and neck from the sun and heat. Our Torrance and Los Angeles safety specialists always recommend wearing a hat when working outside.

Call Your Torrance and Los Angeles, CA Safety Specialists Today!

At Creation World Safety, we believe it’s imperative to keep all workers hydrated and in good working condition while on the job. If you or your team has any further questions about staying hydrated, never hesitate to call our team of safety specialists. Contact us for more information and to learn about all our safety courses today! We look forward to hearing from you!