By Kristian Croxall
Croxall Construction
I’ve been in construction long enough to know that staying hydrated isn’t just a good idea—it’s part of doing the job right. When the temperatures climb and the sun is beating down, water is just as important as your tools and PPE. You can’t work safely or efficiently if you’re running on empty.
What Happens When You Overheat
Working in the heat puts real stress on your body. When you’re not hydrated, your internalbtemperature rises, and your body starts struggling to keep up. You might stop sweating, your muscles can cramp, and you might feel lightheaded, sick to your stomach, or just not yourself.
That’s when mistakes happen.
In more serious cases, you could be looking at heat exhaustion or heat stroke—both of which require immediate attention. It’s not just about feeling lousy; it can become a serious health risk fast if you don’t cool down and rehydrate.
Don’t Wait Until You’re Thirsty
Thirst isn’t the best signal when it comes to hydration—it usually means you’re already behind.
A better way to check is by paying attention to your urine. If it’s dark yellow or smells strong,you’re probably dehydrated. Aim for a light, pale straw color.
Low energy, headaches, dry lips, dizziness, or a faster-than-usual heartbeat can also be signs that you need to hydrate. If you notice any of these creeping in, don’t ignore them. Grab some water and take a moment to cool off.
Staying Ahead of Dehydration
Hydration starts before you get to the site. That means drinking water the night before, not just when you’re already sweating. Stick with water, ease up on caffeine, and skip the sugary drinks.
If you’re sweating a lot, electrolyte mixes can help, but watch out for sports drinks loaded with sugar. I learned this firsthand during the summer of 2020 while working on the roof at the VW plant, installing roof curb levelers. We were in full PPE, including mandatory use of masks due to COVID, and the heat on that roof was intense. It took 10 to 20 minutes just to walk from where we parked to where we were working depending on which part of the roof we were on at the time.
There were a few times I forgot to bring water with me, and it slowed us down. Someone would have to spend up to 40 minutes making a round trip just to grab water. It was uncomfortable and it cost us time.
Eventually, we adjusted. We brought up canopy tents for shade, sent coolers up with the material lifts, and kept multiple cases of water on the roof. That change made a big difference in how we worked and how we felt throughout the day.
Bottom line: planning ahead for hydration should be part of your daily setup—just like fall protection, PPE, or any other safety measure. It’s a simple way to protect your team and keep the job running smoothly.
Set the Tone
It’s not just about telling folks to drink water, it’s about setting the job up so they can. That means planning ahead: coolers, shade, extra water at the work area. If you treat hydration logistics like you treat PPE, the crew will follow suit. If you don’t, they’ll cut corners—and those corners get dangerous fast.
