Product Gallery
Heat of Summer Paving Products W
Whether your crew is called on to perform pavement maintenance or new construction, it’s hot work for them in the height of summer. This month’s product gallery offers a sampling of paving and pavement maintenance/preservation tools and machines to get the job done, but don’t forget the safety elements crewmembers need close at hand. We’ve all experienced the danger that heat plays in our industry— not only from the weather but also from construction materials at times. These very real dangers offer warning signs. Your body begins to feel fatigued, your skin begins to crawl, you feel light-headed, and the rest is downhill. These symptoms are all signs of heat stress and heat fatigue. If you’re thirsty, you’re already in the first stage of heat stress. Your body is sending a signal that you should heed the warning and fix the problem. The go-to option has always been a combination of sugary drinks or water. While these choices are better than nothing, there is now a line of hydration products designed to address heat stress. Atlantic InfraStructure’s paving crew teamed up with Sword Performance Inc., a manufacturer of an all-natural hydration drink line that contains no preservatives or dyes, no harsh chemicals, and has a proven track record of preventing heat stress and fatigue. The SWORD® product is targeted for extreme industries and conditions, such as those paving contractors face every day. “Our paving crew is utilizing Sword’s ice pop in the afternoons,” said Marilyn Grabowski, managing member. “They feel an immediate increase in energy, and we see an increase in their performance.” This product can help employees view hydration as another part of PPE. Just as a hard hat protects the head and steel toe boots protect the feet, SWORD® is designed to protect from the inside out. “We wanted something to drink that is easy on the stomach with no gritty aftertaste, and we believe we have formulated that product,” said Robyn Zlotkin, president of Sword Performance Inc. “Flavored with all-natural fruits, no added sugars, and manufactured in the United States, the SWORD® brand truly is drinkable PPE.” (For more information, visit the Sword Performance Inc. website.) To further address the issue of heat stress, the fourth-generation and family-owned safety products company Magid, based in Romeoville, Illinois, will join MISSION® and the Korey Stringer Institute to launch the first National Heat Safety Coalition with a goal to develop an Industrial Heat Safety Protocol to eliminate heat-related illness and resulting injuries in the workplace. Further details about the coalition are slated to be released later this year. At this time, Magid and MISSION have teamed up to launch a new line of PPE products. Magid Cool Powered by MISSION includes cooling bandanas, cooling neck gaiters/face covers, cooling towels and cooling skull caps— all designed to combat industrial heat illness in the workplace and the financial ramifications it has on businesses worldwide. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, every day 11 workers are seriously injured or die from heat stress. Magid Cool’s proprietary MISSION cooling fabrics are designed to provide reusable, chemical-free cool-
54 // august 2020
The Atlantic InfraStructure crew paves in the heat of summer, and now views hydration as another form of PPE. Photo courtesy of Sword Performance Inc. ing, which cools the fabric to 30 degrees below the average body temperature in less than 60 seconds, and stays cool for up to two hours. Magid Cool uses MISSION’s proprietary and patented instant cooling technologies that professional athletes, such as Serena Williams and Dwyane Wade, have relied on for years. Workers in any hot condition stand to benefit from this new line of innovative instant cooling products. Heat stress, which can range from minor cramping to heat stroke, has many causes. These include: • High temperatures and humidity; • Dehydration; • Bulky PPE and equipment; • Poor workplace regulations; • Heavy physical exertion; • Direct sun exposure; • Limited air movement; and • Poor health or chronic health conditions. “Heat stress is a serious, potentially life-threatening issue that is completely preventable,” said Sarah Anderson, director of product management at Magid. “Our new line of products powered by MISSION uses state-of-the-art evaporative cooling technology to give instant relief from overheating. Using our product along with necessary precautions like staying hydrated and taking consistent breaks will help reduce heat-related illness and injuries on the job.” (For more information, visit the Magid Glove website.)
