Working in warmer weather is a welcome break from the colder months but it brings along some unique challenges … like the risk of sunburn, heat stroke and bug bites that can make you sick. Whether outdoor work is an everyday occurrence or a rarity, it is important to be prepared and stay safe while working outdoors.

Physical Hazards

•    Extreme heat: Heat stroke, heat exhaustion, heat cramps and heat rash are all common yet dangerous signals that your body is too warm. Watch out for high temperatures, severe humidity and limited air movement, which may lead to these conditions. Be especially careful if you are engaging in physical exertion, you are in poor physical condition, are taking medication or are unusually intolerant of hot workplaces.
•    Ultraviolet (UV) radiation: Even when it’s cloudy, you are still at risk of damaging your skin. Prepare to face UV rays by covering up in tightly-woven clothing, using sunscreen before going outside, wearing a protective hat, sporting UV-absorbent shades and limiting sun exposure, if possible.
•    Lightning storms: Occurring most frequently on hot, humid days, lightning storms can be extremely dangerous to outdoor workers because of the risk of a direct strike, conducted current, ground voltage radiation or fallen debris. Watch for storms and know when to seek shelter.

Biological Hazards

•    Mosquitoes: To protect yourself from disease spread by mosquitoes, such as West Nile Virus, cover any cut or scraped skin and wear repellent or thick clothing.
•    Ticks: There are more than 10 tick-borne diseases common in regions across the United States. If you work outside, wear light-colored, long-sleeved shirts, long pants, socks, a hat and repellents. Take extra care to wear protective clothing in the peak activity months, which are June through August.
•    Snakes: If you work in areas with tall grass, brush or leaf/wood piles, it’s wise to educate yourself about the types of poisonous snakes in your geographic region. If you have been bitten, seek medical attention even if you know the snake is not poisonous. Carefully note the snake’s color(s) and shape to help with the treatment process.
•    Stinging insects: Before working outside, avoid wearing cologne or perfume and refrain from scented toiletries to prevent insect stings. Bathe daily and wear clean clothing, as sweat often attracts stinging insects.
•    Spiders: Prepare yourself for outdoor work by being able to easily identify the three types of venomous spiders found in the United States: the black widow, brown recluse and hobo (also known as violin) spiders.
•    Poisonous plants: Be aware that direct contact with plants is one way to be exposed, but touching tools that have had direct contact or inhaling particles from burning plants are other hazards.

The Whitaker-Myers Team hopes that you will take every precaution to have a safe and enjoyable summer.

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