Operation Hydration Stay Cool at Work and at Home
At Airtron Charlotte, North Carolina, we’ve found a unique way to bring the message of health and wellness to the forefront of conversation in the Southern summer heat. In an environment accustomed to the heat and humidity summer brings, it can still be difficult to make sure everyone understands the importance of heat safety and proper hydration, as well as the risks of heat exhaustion and heat stroke.Allow me to introduce you to Operation Hydration. We started Operation Hydration as a way to bring heat safety and wellness together by integrating field and office staff with a common goal.The initiative begins during the first days of the hottest weather of the year.This year, Operation Hydration began in full force on June 20 — heat indexes were expected to reach 103–108 degrees! The foundation of the program involves having our office staff and other support team members deliver water and electrolyte drinks (in the amounts they need for proper hydration during their work day) to our hardworking field service members on job sites.The goal of this initiative is three-fold. First, it provides an opportunity for the office staff to understand the working conditions and environment of the field employees on job sites. Next, it allows the field staff to have a measurable reminder of how much they need to drink during the day to stay properly hydrated. Finally, it reinforces to all employees the benefits of health and wellness both at work and home. Working outside, in attics, or in crawlspaces provides minimal air flow while in elevated temperatures. Operation Hydration is one way we can remind them to stay safe and comfortable while also promoting wellness lifestyles at home. Having our office staff involved in this project has been very valuable because it enhances the importance of hydration across the company. Instead of simply hearing the same message from the same people, it connects employees who typically wouldn’t interact. It encourages better camaraderie and team building between the field and office as well. It’s great to see each employee’s perspective and how they have an appreciation for Operation Hydration. It reminds everyone, whether they’re mowing the grass, gardening, enjoying hobbies, or exercising, that they need to hydrate at home too. Operation Hydration is an ongoing initiative, so it’s important to me to be out there with the teams and not only during the hottest weeks. I’m in the field every week visiting job sites and, everywhere I go, I take plenty of water, electrolyte drinks ... and always my message of hydration.Additionally, Operation Hydration ensures every employee in the field has a fan and 3-gallon cooler for working in hot indoor spaces. It’s a tough job, so we try to make it as comfortable as we can.
Brad Heinrich,VP of Airtron Charlotte, and Mario McGee, RNC Installer
Once you get heat exhaustion, your ability to fight the heat is weakened. Our teams have been doing a good job of avoiding it — there hasn’t been a case of heat exhaustion in many years — and Operation Hydration seeks to maintain that protocol for employees on and off the clock. I say it all the time: People deserve to go home the same way they came in.
-Brad Heinrich
Brad shares this recipe for Airtron Charlotte’s Electrolyte Mix , created by one of our team members, Russ Tolle, who works in the field.Try it out at home!
Using a half-gallon jug, mix the following:
• 1/2 cup 100 percent fruit juice (such as apple, grape, cranberry, etc.) • 7 cups water. Enjoy, and stay hydrated!
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1/4 teaspoon Himalayan pink salt • 1/4 cup 100 percent lemon juice (not lemonade)
4
Made with FlippingBook - professional solution for displaying marketing and sales documents online