LIFESTYLES
WEEKEND, JULY 21–JULY 22, 2018
Working up a
SWEAT
Staff photo by E.J. Harris
Sixth-generation farmers and sisters Sierra and Ellie Scheibner clean the windows of a tractor before the crew begins the wheat harvest on the family
farm outside of Athena.
Staff photo by E.J. Harris
A road crew applies a new layer of asphalt to
Southwest Nye Avenue in 2015 in Pendleton.
By TAMMY MALGESINI
East Oregonian
A
s the mercury continues to rise, many people
head to the river, the local pool or crank up the
air conditioner in order to stay cool. However,
many people who work outdoors are left sweating
while figuring out ways to beat the heat.
The key — hydration.
The general consensus among employees that are
exposed to extreme elements is to make sure people
are drinking enough water. This also goes for those
who are recreating outdoors or working in their yards.
Jim Forquer, operations chief with Umatilla County
Fire District No. 1, said it’s important for people to
recognize that alcohol isn’t a good substitute for fluid
intake. In addition to impairing a person’s judgment in
recognizing possible harm from being in the sun, alco-
hol can further increase the risk for dehydration.
“Water is the best choice for proper hydration,” he
said.
Tom Strandberg, the Oregon Department of Trans-
portation Region 5 public information officer, said with
dozens of projects going on throughout the summer,
the department has several hundred people exposed to
the summer heat. In addition to maintenance crews,
construction liaisons are out in the sun checking on
jobs and contracts.
“It’s definitely a topic on our minds,” Strandberg
said regarding being prepared for working in the heat.
“We send out safety reminders with the hot weather.”
During the warmer months, Forquer said the first
“house chore” of the day is to fill coolers with ice and
bottled water so it’s ready to go when fire crews are
called out. Brandon Artz, recreation supervisor for the
city of Hermiston, said lifeguards at Hermiston Fam-
ily Aquatic Center are provided sunscreen, water and
Powerade, a sports drink that replaces electrolytes that
are lost through sweating.
Beating the heat
Last week after looking at the National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration website, Cam McGin-
nis, the ODOT Region 5 safety lead, drafted an email
reminding employees to be prepared for weather-re-
lated working conditions.
Staff photo by E.J. Harris
Hayley Mele-Seibel, 15, watches over the multi-use pool during swim lessons at the Hermiston Family
Aquatic Center.
“Prepare for the heat. Keep an eye out for the shade
and the water,” he wrote.
McGinnis stressed the importance of staying
hydrated, planning for work breaks, appropriate attire
and how to recognize the risk for heat-related symp-
toms. He reminded employees to make sure they have
plenty of water, as well as encouraging crews to bring
additional water. McGinnis also said wearing a wide-
brimmed or floppy hat helps in keeping the sun off a
person’s neck and head.
“Prepare for the heat. Keep an eye
out for the shade and the water.”
Cam McGinnis, ODOT Region 5 safety lead
Covering exposed skin, said Rebecca Ferge, office
manager for Bellinger Farms, is a practice watermelon
harvest crews utilize. It reduces their exposure to the
sun, while also trapping sweat against the body, which
helps in cooling a person down, she said.
“We try really hard for them to be able to take their
breaks in whatever shade might be available,” Ferge
added.
Artz, too, said lifeguards are encouraged to get out
of the sun when on their breaks. While they may take
a dip in the pool, Artz said they are urged to take cover
in the shade or in the air-conditioned lifeguard station.
Another important part of taking preventive action,
Forquer said, is a having a good fitness program.
“Our crews work out every day and that assists
their ability to work in an environment that exposes
them to the extremes,” he said.
Many of the harvest workers, Ferge said, are accus-
tomed to working outdoors in the heat. They pack
lunch boxes with fluids and food that are replenish-
ing, she said.
“They’ve acclimatized themselves to the triple dig-
its,” she said. “They drink lots of water.”
In his email, McGinnis also provided information
about phone apps that are helpful. The NIOSH Heat
Index, he said, is quite useful in providing important
information to determine risk factors.
“Once the location, temperature and humidity are
determined, the app rates the conditions and gives
you suggestions for mitigation,” McGinnis said. “This
app also has basic first aid suggestions for heat related
illness.”
Also, other conditions are factored in at outdoor
jobs. For road construction crews, Strandberg said
working near or on asphalt and concrete can increase
the temperature. Lifeguards have to contend with the
sun reflecting off the water. And the heat from flames
for firefighters pushes the thermometer even higher.
At floor level, Forquer said a fire in a typical sin-
gle-family dwelling can result in temperatures of 300-
500 degrees. At the ceiling, he said the mercury can
climb to 1,200 degrees or even higher. With an aware-
ness of this, Forquer said they have automatic mutual
aid response from other agencies that helps in rotat-
ing people in to help reduce fatigue. In addition, reha-
bilitation areas include misters and plenty of water to
maintain proper hydration.