Carol
Evans
New York
Center for Agricultural Medicine and Health
The
"dog days" of summer are here and temperatures can soar into
the nineties with very high humidity. If you're lucky, you
can spend these days relaxing by a pool or lake or indoors
where it's cooler. But for farmers, the work doesn't stop
just because the mercury rises. In fact, summer months are
among a farmer's busiest, forcing them to spend long hours
outdoors in all kinds of weather. These long, hot days of
farm work can not only be uncomfortable, but they can be very
dangerous if not dealt with correctly.
If a
person does not replenish his body with enough fluids in hot
weather, heat exhaustion can occur. Heat exhaustion is the
result of the loss of fluid and salt when the body is unable
to sufficiently cool itself through perspiration. The symptoms
include faintness, nausea, cold, clammy skin, rapid heartbeat,
low blood pressure and finally collapse. Children are especially
susceptible to heat exhaustion because they often ignore their
bodies' signals and don't slow down even they're too hot.
If you notice any of these symptoms, take a rest where it's
cooler -- out of the sun -- and drink plenty of fluids.
If the
symptoms of heat exhaustion are ignored, heat stroke may occur.
During heat stroke, the body's temperature can rise extremely
high. If a person is having severe heat exhaustion or heat
stroke, have them lie down, elevate their feet, and give them
sips of cool liquid. Thirst quenchers such as Gatorade are
good choices here because they also replace lost salt. If
symptoms are severe, call your doctor.
To avoid
heat exhaustion -- dress cool in a light-weight natural fabric,
like cotton, which will allow air to pass through and perspiration
to be absorbed. If you're going to be out in the field all
day, bring along plenty of fluids and take breaks as often
as you can to rest and replace lost fluids.
Another
thing to beware of in the summer is bee and other insect stings.
Be especially careful if your farm work takes you near hives.
Should a sting occur, make sure the stinger is removed properly.
Scrape across the skin with a fingernail or clean, dull object.
Don't squeeze the skin or you may push the sting further in
and release venom. Cleanse the area and apply cold compresses.
If allergic
symptoms appear, such as hives, wheezing, difficulty breathing,
headache, or nausea -- contact a physician. If you have a
known allergy to bee stings, talk with your doctor about what
you should have on hand out in the field in case of a sting.
Taking
a few precautions while farming this summer will help keep
you on the farm and not sick in bed!
Carol
Evans, Coordinator of Occupational Safety and Health Services,
NYCAMH.
Disclaimer
and Reproduction Information: Information in NASD does not
represent NIOSH policy. Information included in NASD appears
by permission of the author and/or copyright holder. More
NASD Review: 04/2002
This
public service announcement was produced by the New York Center
for Agricultural Medicine and Health (NYCAMH). Publication
date: 1994.
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