Utility Safety Podcast - Industrial Athletes - Keeping Utility Workers Safe in Extreme Heat

In this special Incident Prevention Utility Safety Podcast episode for Extreme Heat Awareness Month, host Kate Wade welcomes Dr. Kevin Rindal of Vimocity and Scott Head of DragonWear to share essential strategies for preventing heat stress among utility workers.

 

They dive deep into how extreme heat affects the human body, why utility workers are especially vulnerable, and how modern flame-resistant (FR) clothing technology can dramatically improve comfort, safety, and productivity in the field.

 

Drawing on sports medicine principles, real-world utility experience, and advanced FR fabric design, this conversation is packed with actionable advice for safety leaders, crew trainers, and frontline workers alike.

 

Contact our guests - Dr. Kevin Rindal and Scott Head: [e-mail] and [e-mail].

 

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  Key Takeaways:

• Utility workers are industrial athletes who need to manage hydration, acclimatization, and recovery like pro athletes do.

• Early signs of heat stress include confusion, irritability, and poor coordination—workers and supervisors need to spot these quickly.

• Modern FR clothing is engineered to wick moisture, provide stretch, offer UV and arc-flash protection, and even manage odor—reducing distractions and injuries.

• Dynamic warm-ups, proper hydration strategies, and electrolyte management are critical for heat adaptation.

• Safety leaders should equip crews with a “toolbelt” of resources: high-performance clothing, hydration plans, training, and real-time site monitoring for evolving heat risks.

  3 Q&As from the Episode:

 

Q1: What actually happens to the body during heat stress?

A: Blood flow shifts from the brain and core to the skin to cool off, reducing cognitive sharpness. Early signs include confusion, irritability, and clumsy movements—critical warnings for supervisors to watch for.

Q2: How can clothing reduce heat stress risk?

A: Advanced FR garments like DragonWear’s Pro Dry Tech shirts use multi-fiber designs to wick moisture, offer stretch for movement, provide UV/arc-flash protection, and even manage odor—keeping workers cooler, drier, and focused.

Q3: What can crews do to prepare for working in extreme heat?

A: Start hydration the day before, sip water with electrolytes throughout shifts, do dynamic warm-ups to prime blood flow, and plan shaded breaks. Avoiding sugary or dehydrating drinks is also essential.

 

#UtilitySafetyPodcast #HeatStressPrevention #FRClothing #WorkerSafety #ExtremeHeatAwareness #DragonWear #IndustrialAthlette #Lineworker #OSHA

 

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This podcast is sponsored by T&D Powerskills. If you are looking for a comprehensive lineworker training solution, visit tdpowerskills.com today and use the exclusive podcast listener promo code IP2025 to receive a 5% discount!