Heat stress is a real problem for farm employees

The agriculture industry finds more difficulty shielding its staff from heat stress as temperatures keep rising.

To guarantee the safety and well-being of their workers among extreme summer heat, farmers and agricultural groups are using innovative technologies and approaches.

Heat stress, a major disorder brought on by extended heat temperatures, can cause heat exhaustion and heat stroke. For outdoor workers like those in farming, who frequently engage in physically demanding chores in direct sunlight, these disorders pose a special risk.

“Approximately 2,300 people died in 2023 from heat-related issues,” agricultural safety specialist Cody Volkmann said. “That exceeds floods and tornadoes.”

Farmers use both preventative actions and real-time monitoring tools to fight this problem, he said. Volkmann (pictured above) was a recent presenter at the Iowa State University Extension and Outreach Dairy Team’s webinar on mitigating heating stress in dairy operations.

Preventative measures

Reducing heat stress starts mostly with preventative actions, Volkmann said. Many farms today offer staff members extra instruction on identifying the symptoms of heat stress, including headaches, confusion, dizziness and extreme sweating.

Farms also are changing their operations to escape the hottest portions of the day, he said. Shifts are being changed to begin earlier in the morning with breaks during peak heat hours.

Changing work hours has lessened the prevalence of heat-related disorders, Volkmann said.

Hydration and cooling

Ensuring enough hydration is  another crucial tactic, Volkmann said. Many farms now feature more water stations spread over the fields. Electrolyte solutions in these stations can assist in worker hydration.

“Sweating allows for evaporative cooling and increased blood flow to the body’s capillaries for a larger cooling surface area,” Volkmann said, outlining the processes involved in bodily cooling.

Workers should be encouraged and educated regularly to take frequent water breaks so that their bodies can rehydrate during the heat. It is important to drink water even if they do not feel thirsty, Volkmann said.

Additionally, it helps to set up  cooling stations in shaded locations with misting systems and fans, he said. During employees’ breaks, these stations give them somewhere to cool off and relax.

Installation of cooling stations not only will help workers’ health but also increase theiroutput, Volkmann said.

Monitoring with technology

Heat stress is being lessened greatly by technological advances. Wearable gadgets tracking vital signs—such as body temperature and heart rate—are growingly common, Volkman said. These tools let managers and employees spot early indicators of heat stress, enabling quick action.

Wearable technology has been a momentous change, he said. It offers real-time data that might stop major medical problems before they get out of hand.

Additionally, mobile apps that provide weather updates and heat advisories are being used to plan daily activities. These programs can project unsafe heat levels and offer suggested safety measures.

The agriculture sector must adjust to save its workforce as temperatures rise with the changing of seasons, Volkmann said.Workers are this industry’s most valuable asset, he said. By investing in their safety and well-being, their health and sustainability are protected.

Madelyn Murphy can be reached at [email protected].