Safety Bulletin: Dehydration

Dehydration occurs when your body’s water content becomes low… It can happen when you don’t drink enough and lose fluids due to sweating in hot humid weather and/or during physical activity. Certain medicines such as diuretics and medical conditions like diarrhea, vomiting, and uncontrolled diabetes can contribute to dehydration.
If you’re thirsty, it is likely that you are already mildly dehydrated. Symptoms which can include headache, fatigue, and dizziness are associated with dehydration. Drinking water can usually start to rehydrate your system within minutes or hours.
Drinks that contain large quantities of sugar, highly caffeinated energy drinks, and alcoholic beverages are not good hydration choices due to their diuretic properties. Be aware that quickly drinking an excessive amount of water will cause your body to eliminate any excess through urination—taking vital electrolytes with it. Instead, drink periodically throughout the day to stay hydrated. Adding high-water fruits and vegetables to your diet is also helpful.
Decisions and actions made after work hours, weekends, holidays, and vacations can have a negative consequence on our ability to safely perform assigned tasks. To be Mission Ready and combat dehydration and heat-related illness, we must monitor the type and amount of our fluid intake at work and home.