For those who make a living driving trucks, heatwaves can be problematic. According to a 2018 study published in Temperature, cars parked in the sun on a hot day can go from 85 degrees to 116 degrees in just an hour due to the way heat and humidity can become trapped inside an enclosed space. This means that just being inside of a vehicle without the air conditioning on can be a dangerous prospect, even with the windows open.

Of course, most truck drivers do much more in the course of their busy days that can cause harm to their bodies in extreme heat such as securing a load, inspecting the truck, or parking in a no-idle space without shade, not to mention manual labor tasks such as loading and unloading freight with a pallet jack, hand cart, etc. Due to the nature of the occupation, drivers may find themselves at a higher risk of heat-related health complications such as heat exhaustion or its more serious cousin, heatstroke.

How to recognize heatstroke

In the summer months, drivers should remain aware of symptoms of heatstroke so they can recognize the signs and seek immediate the medical attention required by this condition. Without treatment, heatstroke can lead to serious health complications and cause damage to your heart, brain, muscles, and kidneys, and can even lead to death. The damage increases over time without proper medical treatment, so do not delay seeking treatment if heatstroke is suspected.

The most common heatstroke symptoms include the following and can happen suddenly—within 10-15 minutes if body temperatures rise above 106 degrees.

• Throbbing headache
• Nausea and/or vomiting
• Racing heart rate
• High body temp (over 104 degrees F)
• Strange behavior such as disorientation or confusion
• Lack of sweating despite the heat
• Muscle weakness or cramps
• Rapid breathing

Preventing heatstroke

The best treatment for heatstroke is obviously to avoid it altogether. Here are a few ways to keep cool during high temps.

• Wear lightweight, light-colored clothing with a wide-brimmed hat if possible.
• Use a sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher
• Drink extra fluids. It is recommended to drink 6-8 glasses of water, fruit, or vegetable juice a day to stay hydrated. However, in extreme heat you should aim to drink 8oz of water every 20 minutes
• Avoid high-caffeine beverages such as coffee, soda, or energy drinks as these can worsen dehydration
• Choose a beverage with extra electrolytes such as Liquid IV or coconut water. These beverages not only keep you hydrated, but they also prevent a dangerous drop in electrolytes that contributes to health problems
• Take frequent breaks in a shaded or air-conditioned space

Extreme heat is the deadliest weather condition and should be taken seriously. Be aware that health conditions such as obesity, heart disease and diabetes, as well as certain medications can increase your risk of an extreme reaction to heat. Make sure to take proper precautions when working in high temps to keep yourself safe and healthy. If heatstroke is suspected, seek professional medical attention immediately so you can continue to enjoy all the other perks of summertime for many years to come.

Those Drivers who have been with us for a year or more can look forward to a week of gifts, gift cards, and more! We’re delighted to recognize these hard working employees and all they bring to our country! Stay tuned for photos, interviews, and much more!

Are you a stand out professional, technical professional, driver, or skilled worker seeking contingent, temporary, or long term career opportunities?  Visit our job board  for more information!  Want to learn more about how you can gain access to Trillium’s national network of professionals and skilled workers? Contact us today!

Trillium, a national leader in staffing and recruitment is a valued staffing partner to over 5,000 companies nationwide. Trillium is privately owned by Oskar René Poch.

1. Logging Workers- With a number of constantly changing factors including job location, surrounding hazards, wind speed, and less than predictable falling directions; logging workers have no doubt a dangerous occupation.

2. Fishing Related Occupations– Dangerous weather conditions, faulty equipment, and drownings all add to the safety threat for this group.

3. Aircraft Pilots and Flight Engineers– Despite technology improvements and state of the art equipment, mechanical issues and inclement weather add to the dangers of the job.

4. Roofers– Improper use of PPE, extreme heights, faulty equipment, slips, falls, and dangerous job sites all add to the injury exposure for roofers.

5. Structural Iron and Steel Workers- Working at extreme heights while handling heavy materials, these employees have a large exposure to falls, slips, crushes, and welding related injuries.

Regardless of your occupation finding the appropriate PPE, safety training, and identifying hazards are key to remaining safe on the job. Even those working in seemingly “safe” jobs can be injured when not following safety protocol and being aware of  their surroundings.

Want to learn more about how you can gain access to Trillium’s national network of top level talent? Contact us today! If you are a stand out in your profession and seeking contingent or long term career opportunities, visit our job seekers section for more information!

Trillium, a national leader in staffing and recruitment is a valued staffing partner to over 5,000 companies nationwide. Trillium is privately owned by Oskar René Poch.

“Passion and Humanity gives me the day to day drive to do the right thing. I do not want anyone to get hurt or get that dreaded call that your loved one is not coming home. If I have touched or taught one person with a safety message I feel I have been productive. In the safety world, everybody knows when you do the wrong thing or do not do something to save a life, nobody knows when you have done the right thing and save a life, limb or eye. It’s the humane thing to do and we choose NOT to look the other way!”

– Jamie Ellis, Safety Manager

Trillium employs a full time Risk Management team including several safety managers to help ensure we partner with safety minded clients helping us to provide our employees with not only exciting but also safe job opportunities.

“Behavior Based Safety is what drives me. If people have safe behaviors in their life, this will translate into safe habits for peers, children and a quality work force and work structure. Safety is a team effort! Everyone has to be involved in the safety arena.”

-Stephen Woodworth, Safety Manager

While choosing safe job sites is crucial, even the safest of job sites pose potential risks. Before our employees even enter a job site they undergo basic job site safety. We gladly participate in client sponsored safety events, and even provide additional safety training including:

• Workplace Violence
• Forklift Certification / Train the Trainer
• Confined Space
• Health Hazards in Construction: Heat Illness, Silica & Noise
• Fall Protection
• “Mock” OSHA Inspections
• OSHA 10 Hour: Construction, General Industry, and Maritime
• Cold Weather Safety
• Lock Out / Tag Out
• Machine Guarding
• Hot Work: Welding, Cutting, Brazing, and Burning

For more information on our Safety Training programs click here.

Want to learn more about how you can gain access to Trillium’s national network of top level talent? Contact us today! If you are a stand out in your profession and seeking contingent or long term career opportunities, visit our job seekers section for more information!

Trillium, a national leader in staffing and recruitment is a valued staffing partner to over 5,000 companies nationwide. Trillium is privately owned by Oskar René Poch.

]]> /blog/safety-concerns-as-construction-season-booms/ Thu, 13 Jun 2013 14:32:03 +0000 /blog/?p=998 Continue reading →]]> With construction in it’s peak for most of the country, now is a great time to assess your risks and safety protocols. As recently as this week headlines are filled with work related injuries including work related fatalities. How can you avoid putting your staff at risk?

This week the construction of the new “Levi’s Stadium”, future home of the 49er’s was plagued with a work related fatality. A local contractor lost one of their long time elevator workers when he was struck by a falling counterweight while standing on a ladder at the bottom of an elevator shaft. Even with 43 years of experience on the job and what has been reported as appropriate PPE for the job, this 63 year old was lost. The $1.3 billion project with approximately 1,000 tradesmen on site was shut down for two days. How can you protect your team before it’s too late?

Host and engage your staff in regular safety meetings. Even the most qualified and experienced of tradesmen need to be reminded of safety procedures, cautions, and be aware of what is taking place on the job site. Regularly screen employees for PPE and question them on their safety precautions. Encourage all contractors on site to report any safety concerns or possible dangers to the on site safety manager immediately. Some of the safest sites include those who offer bonuses to those who report safety concerns and offer rewards for long periods of time on site without injury.

While maintaining and regularly evaluating your job sites for safety concerns can be time consuming and cost additional investment dollars, the return on investment is undeniable. Simple investments such as reflective vests, bright colored hard hats, additional safety fencing, and mirrors can save costly injuries quickly. Be sure to include all temporary workers who are on site in your regular safety meetings and practices. Everyone on site, regardless of their length of employment should have a part in maintaining a safe job site.

Want to learn more about how you can gain access to Trillium’s national network of experienced construction workers? Contact us today!  If you are a stand out skilled trades worker seeking short or long term career opportunities, visit our job seekers section for more information!

Trillium, a national leader in staffing and recruitment is a valued staffing partner to over 5,000 companies nationwide. Trillium is privately owned by Oskar René Poch.