By: Dr. Reed Erickson, Physician, MedExpress
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), more than half of jobs in 2016 required some level of outdoor work — and this number has only continued to grow across many industries including construction, leisure and hospitality, oil and gas, and transportation and warehousing. Outdoor work means increased exposure to weather and physical activity, and in turn, increased risk of dehydration. As employees spend more time working outdoors in rain, snow, sleet or shine, it's important for business leaders to keep dehydration top of mind.
While cooler months are ahead, MedExpress, one of the nation's largest occupational medicine and workers' compensation providers, typically sees workers' compensation visits related to dehydration as late as November and as early as March. That means that employers should take steps to keep employees hydrated year-round – or face decreases in productivity and increases in time off work and workers’ compensation claims
The effect of dehydration on the body and work performance
Dehydration is a common problem among Americans across a variety of industries. In fact, research shows that as many as 75% of Americans are not drinking the daily recommended number of eight 8-ounce cups of water prescribed by the Institute of Medicine. For employers, that means that many workers may already be dehydrated — and that the productivity and safety of the worksite may already be compromised due to the effects of dehydration, which often include confusion, irritability, headache, nausea and more.
Water accounts for anywhere between 50% to 70% of body weight and plays a vital role in maintaining the body's daily functions. In fact, there isn’t a body part that doesn't require water as a major component of its job. From head to toe, water helps regulate body temperature through sweating and respiration, aids in digestion, lubricates joints, flushes the body of waste through the urine, and so much more.
Why, then, are so many people operating in a state of chronic dehydration? The body is constantly losing fluids, whether it's through perspiration, breathing, sickness, heat stress or exercise. However, by drinking the recommended number of glasses of water per day, we are able to successfully and consistently replenish the fluids we lose through natural processes.
On the other hand, when we don't drink enough water, the body begins to lose more fluid than it takes in, resulting in dehydration. When the body is dehydrated, it kicks in to internal overdrive to maintain important bodily functions. For example, the kidneys begin to retain water, causing less frequent urination, and the blood in our veins thickens, putting stress on the cardiovascular system to increase heart rate to maintain normal blood pressure. Additionally, in an attempt to maintain fluid levels, the body will slow down — or stop — the process of sweating. When the body stops sweating, internal temperature cannot easily be regulated, causing heat stress.
It's also worth noting that caffeinated beverages and alcohol are not effective at rehydrating the body and should be avoided. Caffeinated beverages and alcohol are diuretics and cause the kidneys to excrete more water and can potentially aggravate dehydration.
Signs and symptoms of dehydration in the workplace
The effects of dehydration can be felt externally, too. From fatigue and muscle cramps to headaches and kidney stones, dehydration can cause a variety of symptoms that range from inconvenient to extremely serious. However, even mild dehydration can impact the productivity and health and safety of your workers. That's why it's important to remind your workers to be mindful of the common signs and symptoms of dehydration — thirst, dry mouth, fatigue, headache, yellow or orange urine, and dizziness.
Dehydration is often easier to spot in others than it is in oneself, so it's also important to encourage your workers to look out for each other, too. Educate workers on how to recognize the signs of dehydration in their team members like dry skin, confusion, sunken eyes, lack of energy or irritability.
Avoid dehydration dangers at work year-round
While dehydration is certainly more of a hot-button issue in the summertime when outdoor workers are spending hours in the heat, employers often underestimate the need to continue to hydrate teams effectively during the winter, too. In fact, dehydration should be as big of a concern in the cooler months as it is in the heat.
In the winter, outdoor workers often fend off the cold by layering on thick jackets, warm long johns and big socks. Wearing heavy clothes may feel good at first — but soon, the body will begin to sweat. And because sweat evaporates more quickly in cold, dry air, workers may not realize how warm they are and will not remove clothing to help regulate temperature. We also tend to lose more water through respiration in the winter; every time you see your breath, that's water lost in the form of vapor
With a few simple steps, employers can help prevent dehydration on worksites all year long.
1. Educate
Many people don't realize the effects of dehydration and may not have a solid understanding of just how important hydration is for productivity and the overall health and well-being of a worksite. That's why I always stress the importance of dehydration education. Make sure that hydration tips and reminders are always included in all safety seminars and trainings, and schedule quarterly check-ins with team members to remind them of the importance of staying hydrated year-round. Develop educational materials to share with workers to hang in lockers and keep in bags. Also, help remind workers to refill a water bottle or two before heading into the field by hanging bright, eye-catching posters in high-traffic areas and around frequently used exits.
2. Support
Help your workers put their new knowledge into practice by providing the support they need to stay hydrated at work. Distribute reusable water bottles that employees can easily carry with them from site to site. Also, make sure there are plenty of conveniently placed cool water stations across the worksite so it's easy to refill empty bottles throughout the day. It's often easy to lose track of time during the workday, so place a digital clock near water stations and remind workers to drink 5 to 7 ounces of water every 15 minutes, especially in extreme weather conditions.
3. Reward
Encourage workers to be mindful of the dangers of dehydration by implementing a hydration tracking program. Offer opportunities for workers to showcase their hydration awareness by giving points (and subsequently rewards) for tracking the number of cups of water they drink in day, wearing loose-fitting, light-colored clothing, and avoiding alcohol and caffeinated beverages, which may increase the risk of dehydration.
Reed Erickson, MD, MBA, CPS/A, MedExpress, as a medical leader of our Employer Health Services, is an expert in the area of workplace health, especially DOT/FMCSA medical certifications and guidelines. From workers’ compensation and injury care to employment certifications and screenings, he is able to provide industry insights and best practices to help organizations promote the health and well-being of their employees. Dr. Erickson also leads the Hearing Conservation Program at MedExpress as Professional Supervisor.
