As things warm up this summer, the agriculture industry is finding it more difficult to protect workers from heat stress.
According to an Iowa State University Ag Safety Specialist, approximately 2,300 people died from heat-related issues in 2023. That exceeds floods and tornadoes.
He recently shared several ways to mitigate heat stress, starting with preventative measures:
- Beginning shifts earlier in the morning with breaks at the hottest times of the day
- Offering staff additional instructions on identifying symptoms of heat illness
- Ensuring opportunities to cool down and hydrate
- Offer water stations in fields with electrolyte solutions
- Fans and misting systems
- Wearable gadgets to track body temperatures and heart rate
