What should pesticide handlers do to prevent heat-related illness?

• A. Wear extra layers in heat
• B. Avoid drinking water
• C. Work longer hours to build tolerance
• D. Know how to prevent, recognize, and provide first aid for heat-related illness

Answer: (D)

Preventing heat-related illness hinges on being prepared to prevent it, to recognize it early, and to provide appropriate first aid. For pesticide handlers, training everything from hydration and acclimatization to cooling strategies, rest breaks, and emergency procedures is essential because PPE and outdoor work can increase heat strain. If you know how to prevent heat illness, you can also spot early warning signs like headache, dizziness, confusion, or nausea and act quickly to stop it from worsening.

This approach is better than options that would worsen heat stress—adding layers only traps more heat, avoiding water leads to dehydration, and trying to work longer hours to build tolerance can push the body past safe limits.