OMAHA (DTN) -- Farm and ranch work obviously do not stop because of hot and humid weather conditions. However, those who work in the sun and heat should take some precautions to prevent negative health effects.

Taking frequent breaks and drinking lots of water while working in the heat is key to avoiding weather-related illnesses. Utilizing both protective clothing and sunscreen can guard producers from the harmful effects of the sun.

SEVERAL OPTIONS TO PROTECT FROM THE HEAT

Tawnie Larson, a program manager in Kansas State University's Carl and Melina Helwig Department of Biological and Agricultural Engineering and the Kansas Agriculture Safety and Health Program, said in a news release that farmers and ranchers have different options to protect themselves from both the heat and the sun. (See https://extension.k-state.edu/…).

One of the simplest ways is to wear protective clothing, she said.

"Wear lightweight, long-sleeved, light-colored clothing, or a cool vest," Larson recommended.

Wearing a cooling vest is "essentially like wearing air conditioning," she added. The vests use specialized fabric and fibers to circulate cooling products to keep body temperatures low during hot days.

Larson also suggested farm workers use equipment with a canopy with a sunshade to keep them out of the sun. This includes a Rollover Protection Structure (ROPS).

Equipment with an enclosed cab usually comes with air conditioning and has a built-in ROPS. Both options provide safety from rollovers and can help prevent heat-related illness, she said.

EVERYONE REACTS DIFFERENTLY TO HEAT

Larson said that individuals react to hot conditions differently, so it is important people listen to their bodies. Those working in the heat and sun should take frequent breaks and stay inside during the hottest part of the day, she said.

"Medication may also play a role in affecting one's body's ability to stay cool, making it harder to handle that heat," Larson noted. "Before working outside this summer, check with your doctor to see if you're at higher risk for heat-related illness and whether you should take extra precautions due to medications."

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommended drinking one cup of water every 15-20 minutes, and before becoming thirsty. The CDC also recommended keeping sugary and alcoholic drinks to a minimum. Replace salt and minerals with snacks or a sport drink.

Heat stroke symptoms include high body temperature; hot, dry, red or damp skin; fast, strong pulse; headache; dizziness, nausea, confusion; and lack of consciousness. Larson said if a person is suffering from heat stroke, call 911 immediately, move the person to a cooler place and lower the person's temperature with cooler clothes.

Do not give the person anything to drink, she added.

"Heat exhaustion is different and usually not as serious," Larson said.

SUNSCREEN DOS AND DON'TS

Sunburns significantly increase the risk of developing skin cancer later in life. This is especially true with kids and teenagers.

In a Childhood Agricultural Safety Network (CASN) webinar last week, Brianne Haskell-Hanisch, MD, of the Marshfield Clinic Dermatology Department, said one of the keys to protecting anyone from the ill effects of the sun is to use sunscreen. Sunscreens protect skin from UVB rays -- the ultraviolet radiation responsible for sunburns and a major contributor to skin cancer.

There are specific dos and don'ts when it comes to sunscreen, according to Haskell-Hanisch:

DO:

-- Use broad spectrum sunscreens which protect your skin from both UVA and UVB rays.

-- Use a sun protection factor (SPF) of 30 or above.

- Apply thick layers of sunscreen, often more than you think.

DON'T:

-- Just rely on higher SPFs, use protective clothing as well.

-- Trust water resistant labels.

-- Wait more than two hours to reapply.

Haskell-Hanisch said those with photosensitive skin, often people with red hair and blue eyes, need to utilize higher SPF ratings to protect their skin. Again, protective clothing needs to be used in conjunction with sunscreen.

For those with sensitive skin, mineral sunscreens should be used, she said. These sunscreens will have zinc oxide or titanium dioxide to reduce the risk of irritation, stinging or allergic reactions.

Russ Quinn can be reached at Russ.Quinn@dtn.com

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