Heat Safety for Farmers: Essential Tips to Protect Yourself From Extreme Heat

In summer, the heat is on for farmers — in more ways than one. The seemingly endless to-do list of summer farm jobs, coupled with rising temperatures and humidity, can take their toll. Yet, to farmers, heat safety is key, and preventing heat-related illnesses should be on the top of the to-do list.

While you and your employees work outdoors, your internal temperature rises and the hot weather offers no reprieve, creating rough conditions — but there are ways to mitigate the threat and keep everyone safe. If you’re wondering how to stay cool in the heat outside, working on the farm, try these tips to ward off heat-related illness and stay safe, all summer long.

Know OSHA Heat Regulations

A good place to begin beating the heat is understanding workplace guidelines for places like farms, where you may be working outside in extreme heat. While there isn’t any one temperature that has been deemed unsafe, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) requires employers to provide their employees with a place of employment that "is free from recognized hazards that are causing or likely to cause death or serious harm to employees." 

Following OSHA guidelines will help keep everyone safe and lower your liability. But what does that all mean? It requires taking into account various factors when you’re evaluating heat stress standards for outdoor workers, including:

• Environmental conditions (such as air temperature, humidity, sunlight and air speed)
• Presence of heat sources (like hot tar ovens or furnaces) in the work area 
• Level of physical activity — in other words, the workload leading to body heat production
• Use of clothing or protective gear that can reduce the body’s ability to lose excess heat
• Varying individual risk factors, like workers’ pre-existing health conditions and physical needs

When you’re trying to determine when it's too hot to work outside, consider both the environmental heat and the metabolic heat of the worker, as well as whether the person has already developed a heat tolerance.

Not only is considering all of these factors good management — it’s good business. Overworking your employees in the heat will not, ultimately, lead to more productivity, and it may harm them (and you) in the long run.

How to Stay Cool In The Heat While Working Outside

Thankfully, heat-related illnesses can be prevented with the proper precautions in place. Here are some steps that can help keep farm workers healthy in the heat.

Build Heat Tolerance

Almost half of all heat-related deaths occur on a worker’s very first day on the job, according to OSHA, and over 70% of heat-related deaths occur during a worker’s first week. It shows that workers who are new to working in hot environments may not be acclimatized to heat. Their bodies need time to adapt to working in hot conditions. 

So, be sure to protect new workers from heat hazards. Schedule shorter shifts in the heat, separated by breaks, and monitor new workers closely for any symptoms of heat-related illness.

Dress for Summer Farm Work

Protective clothing is one of the best ways to stay cool while working in the heat. Workers should shield themselves from the sun by covering up with a wide-brimmed hat and sunglasses. It might seem logical that dressing minimally would keep conditions cooler, but wearing a long-sleeved shirt and pants tucked into boots will help prevent ticks, other bugs and poisonous vegetation from wreaking havoc.

Use common sense: Wearing light-colored, loose-fitting and breathable clothing like cotton or linen will help cut down on trapped heat. And a special body-cooling vest or, depending on work duties, a neck fan might also be a great investment to help you stay cool on hot days.

Stay Hydrated in the Heat

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends drinking 1 cup of water every 15 to 20 minutes during moderate activity. If you’re working outside in the heat, staying ahead of those numbers will help you stay hydrated and avoid dehydration.

The color of your urine is a good indicator as to whether you need to be drinking more water; ideally you want it to look clear, and if it gets dark you urgently need to hydrate. And while you might swear by your morning cup of joe to get you going, avoid drinking caffeine all day or adding sugary or alcoholic beverages (including sodas and juices) to the mix. All of these items can dehydrate you. Consider adding a little salt or sugar-free electrolytes, like the kind that athletes use, to your water to help the body retain the hydration. The key is to stay hydrated before you even feel thirsty. 

Take Breaks and Use Shade

Locate a shady spot where you and your team can take frequent breaks during hot weather. That could be the air-conditioned cab of your truck or even an outbuilding. Eat regular meals and include a lightly salted snack or two throughout the day for energy and balancing electrolytes. And be smart about when you work, taking a cue from hot countries (like Spain and Italy) that pause mid-day for a rest. If possible, schedule demanding tasks for early morning or evening when it’s cooler.

Mind Your Meds

If you take certain medications or have certain medical conditions, you may be more prone to high body temperature, making it harder for your body to cool down. Talk to your physician before working in the heat this summer to find out if you’re at an increased risk for heat-related illness, and if you need to take additional precautions. Ask your workers to do the same!

Know the Symptoms

Heat-related illness can sneak up quickly. Keep an eye out for the symptoms of heat exhaustion, like high body temperature, so act fast in the event of heat stroke, heat rash and heat cramps. 

Heat stroke happens when the body can no longer control its temperature and is unable to cool down. Heat stroke is a medical emergency, and you should call emergency services such as 911 immediately.

Heat exhaustion is the body’s response to dehydration. If you are experiencing signs of heat exhaustion, ask another person for assistance; you shouldn’t be left alone, and you may need medical treatment.

Heat cramps occur when your body sweats out too much salt and can also be a sign of heat exhaustion. Drink a sports drink or electrolyte powder or try water with a salty snack. Seek medical attention if you’re on a low-sodium diet, have heart issues or have cramps that don’t go away after an hour.

Protecting Your Farm and Your Employees

You do your best to keep your business or farm a safe place, but accidents can happen in any workplace. Reach out to your Farm Bureau agent to help ensure you have the workers’ compensation coverage you need.