Summertime brings sweltering temperatures outside and dryness inside caused by the constant flow of air conditioning, so working anywhere during this season can cause fatigue and dehydration. However, summertime isn’t the only time to be concerned about these ailments.
Employees in construction, landscaping, laundry, factory, farm or restaurant settings typically function in hot environments throughout the year. So do workers who wear heavy protective apparel on the job, which causes them to sweat and lose the necessary water that the body stores. In addition to health and safety concerns, multiple studies show that even mild thirst can decrease productivity at work by as much as 10 percent; and hand/eye coordination can weaken at just one percent dehydration. Therefore, it is essential to maintain proper hydration planning year round.