How To Stay Hydrated As A Construction Worker

Staying hydrated | Water being poured into a water glass.

How To Stay Hydrated As A Construction Worker

One of the most crucial things you can do to avoid heat illness in this heatwave is to drink enough fluids. Hydration can usually be achieved with just water.

 Signs and symptoms of dehydration

  • Extreme thirst
  • Less frequent urination
  • Dark-coloured urine
  • Fatigue
  • Dizziness

Causes of dehydration

Inadequate hydration, or the failure to replenish lost fluids, is the main cause of dehydration. Dehydration can be influenced by the weather, how much you exercise (especially in hot weather), and your diet.

Dehydration can also happen because of an illness, such as persistent nausea and diarrhoea or excessive sweating brought on by a fever

Drink Water Before Work

It is easier to maintain hydration throughout the day if you are hydrated when you begin work. If you are already dehydrated when you start working, you might not be able to consume enough liquids to make up for what your body needs.

Drink Water at Work

Drink before you become thirsty. You are already behind in replacing lost fluids by the time you begin to feel thirsty. The main cause of heat exhaustion is dehydration.

Even if you are not aware of it, being dehydrated can affect how well you perform at work.

Every 15-20 minutes, sip one cup (8 ounces) of water while working in the heat. Drinking more frequently but in smaller amounts is preferable to drinking infrequently but in large amounts.

Construction Services | Three construction workers drinking water

Drink Water after Work

Most people need several hours to consume enough liquids to make up for the fluids they have lost through sweating. The sooner you begin, the less stress dehydration would have on your body. 

If you frequently work in the heat, staying hydrated after work is even more crucial. Chronic dehydration raises the risk of several illnesses, including kidney stones. 

Read how to protect yourself from the sun here.