BRONSON EXPLAINS… HYDRATION
A human body requires adequate hydration to function and perform tasks. To maintain peak performance there must be a functional balance between the fluid gained by drinking water or electrolyte-filled drinks and eating water-rich foods, and the fluid lost through activity, sweat, urination and even breathing. Dehydration is what occurs when this balance is lost, and the body no longer has enough fluid to function properly. Various factors contribute to this hydration balance, including the individual’s activity level and subsequent sweat loss, diet, age, weight, level of fitness and environmental factors such as climate and humidity.1 Dehydration can lead to fatigue, confusion, headaches and decreased cognitive function. On worksites with hazards such as moving vehicles and heavy equipment, dehydration can be highly dangerous.
➡ Working in heated environments causes excessive sweating.
➡ Important electrolytes are lost through sweat.
Replenish by drinking electrolyte-rich Sqwincher beverages in addition to water.
Maintaining peak hydration is incredibly important year-round and can affect staff and workers just as much in winter as in summer. However, for active workers and those on their feet each day, warmer weather is likely to increase the level of sweat lost. Important electrolytes including sodium, potassium and calcium, which are essential to peak performance, are lost in sweat during exercise. To help replenish these electrolytes, we recommend mixing water with electrolyte-rich, low sugar drinks such as Sqwincher.
DID YOU KNOW? Both the brain and heart are composed of 75% water!2 These two areas of the body are vital to
performance and functionality in every person. Fluid levels and continuous fluid intake are so important that even the slightest decrease of 1% body water content can noticeably reduce a person’s cognitive ability and overall performance.
Use these Top Three Strategies to help improve staff hydration and reduce related hazards and risks in your workplace:
1. Staying Hydrated
2. Wearing appropriate PPE
3. Providing Shade
Occupational Health and Safety laws state that employers must provide an adequate supply of free water to all staff. It is important to note that this supply must be separate to washroom and kitchen taps.3 A cooler is an ideal measure for meeting these requirements and providing adequate water for the whole team. This 20litre cooler perfectly provides the 2L recommended daily intake for 10 staff, and can be re-filled easily to suit a larger workforce. Besides water, it can also be filled with Sqwincher and other electrolyte-rich drinks.
As with any work environment, it is important that all staff dress appropriately for the weather, to help stay cool and hydrated. We recommend providing light, semi loosefitting work wear that is UV resistant and breathable for Summery conditions. Cooling work gear including bandanas, neck shades and evaporative vests also help employees to stay cool, while reducing the amount of sweat and electrolytes lost in the heat.
Excessive heat in any workplace is considered a genuine Health and Safety hazard and is known to reduce staff hydration quicker. WorkSafe Australia states that it is the responsibility of the Person Conducting a Business or Undertaking (PCBU) to understand the risks present in their workplace (i.e. overexposure to sun, lack of shade etc.) and to take every reasonable precaution to minimise those risks.4 Tents, fans and wide brimmed hats all help to reduce these risks and keep staff cooler and more hydrated for longer.
BRONSON SAFET Y
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