Temperatures above 90 degrees, especially when accompanied with high humidity can cause many medical problems including heat exhaustion, heat stroke, heart failure and stroke. Take the heat seriously. If you are feeling hot and uncomfortable, use caution, common sense and take steps to avoid heat stress.
Crew Breaks
WisCorps Crews take one 15-minute break in the morning and afternoon in addition to a 30-minute lunch break during the work day. On hot days, WisCorps crews switch to more frequent breaks. 5-10 minutes every hour plus a 30-minute lunch.
The Heat Index
The heat index is a combination of the current outdoor temperature and the relative humidity, or amount of moisture present in the air. The higher the outdoor temperature and relative humidity, the greater the heat index and more at risk you and your pets are to suffer from heat exhaustion. If the value is above 105 degrees, the National Weather Service will issue a Heat Advisory, and special precautions are necessary.
Heat Safety Tips
Slow down
Strenuous activities should be reduced or rescheduled to the coolest time of the day.
Dress for summer, wear light-colored clothing.
Stay hydrated. Your body needs water to stay cool. Even if you don’t feel thirsty, continue to drink water.
Don’t get too much sun and wear a sun screen.
Sunburn makes the job of heat dissipation that much more difficult.
Spend more time in air-conditioned places. Doing so makes the body’s job of staying cool that much easier.
Thunder and Lightning
Crews will stop outdoor services seek shelter in a vehicle or indoors for 30 minutes if thunder or lightning are witnessed
Crews are not able to resume outdoor services until 30 minutes have passed since the most recent thunder or lightning
Rain Events
Crews are expected to perform outdoor services during light rain, but will have restrictions for what types of tools can be used
During short-lasting or intermittent rain events (5 minutes or less, 2 to 4 times in one day), crews can continue to use heavy power tools (chainsaws and brush saws)
During long-lasting light rain (drizzle or intermittent rain events occurring throughout the day), crews are not allowed to use chainsaws or brush saws and must only use manual hand tools (loppers, hand saws, long-handled tools)
During downpours and heavy rain events, crews should seek shelter in a vehicle or indoors until the heavy rain has stopped; crews are expected to work in long-lasting light rain, but should stop if rain becomes a downpour or if the rain presents a safety issue at a particular worksite