As temperatures surge into the 90s in Boston on Tuesday and Wednesday, officials and health care professionals are reminding people to take precautions to stay safe in the heat. Get in the shade when you can; take breaks from outside work; wear sunscreen; and keep drinking water, experts say.
Tatiana Begault, the executive director of the Massachusetts Coalition for Occupational Safety and Health, said heat stress is a major risk for those who work outdoors in the sun or in other hot environments, like kitchens.
She adds that workers in these environments should pace themselves, go to a shaded area and take necessary breaks.
“The job is not going to get done if you’re dead, so we want to be very clear on this — your life matters, it is important. Get hydrated,” said Begault.
Dr. Matthew Mostofi, who works in emergency medicine at Tufts Medical Center, said people should be aware of their limitations in the heat.
“Some people have medical problems or medications that reduce their ability to cool off,” he said. “So you need to understand what other problems you personally have or your family members and take those into consideration.
“Stay hydrated,” Mostofi said. “You should dress appropriately, so obviously now is not the time to wear multiple clothes, or loose-fitting clothes.”
Mostofi said people who are planning to be in an isolated area, like a golf course or a boat, should use sunscreen and pack something to drink.
“The body’s way of cooling itself off is to sweat,” he said. “You need to replenish your water supply, so make sure you’re hydrated.”
Homeowners who hire contractors can put out a cooler with water bottles, she said, and even shift working hours to avoid the hottest part of the day.
Begault also said providing worker training on how to spot symptoms of heat stress is an obligation and can avoid fatal outcomes.
“I’d rather invest in providing training to all of the workers than paying a fine to OSHA for some injuries, violations,” she said. “I’d rather invest in training than in funerals.”
Local advocates for the homeless are also working to ensure that people stay safe in the heat.
Barbara Trevisan, a spokesperson for the homelessness nonprofit Pine Street Inn, said their outreach teams will extend their hours on the streets this week, offering cold drinks, sunscreen and bug spray.
“They will also offer rides to our shelters, which are air conditioned,” she said. “They’ll just try to do everything they can to check in with people and make sure that people are doing OK in the heat.”
Trevisan said they will also work with emergency services to get people inside if they think somebody is in imminent danger.
If someone feels that they could have a heat-related illness, Mostofi said they should seek help immediately and find somewhere to cool off.
GBH’s Jeff Keating and Craig LeMoult contributed reporting.
