Dehydration at Work

Our bodies are made up of a huge percentage of water, and we need significant amounts of water throughout the day to continue to function normally. Companies should be looking out for the well-being of their employees, but this does not always happen. Many employers do not provide adequate hydration facilities in the workplace and, often, workers are at their jobs all day without realizing that they are dehydrated.

Symptoms of dehydration can become noticeable after as little as a 2% or 3% loss in water inside the body. Some signs include thirst, dry skin, tiredness, and loss of appetite. More serious dehydration, with prolonged absence of water, can be more serious. A dangerous rise in heart rate and body temperature, shriveling skin, and seizures are symptoms of much more serious dehydration. More than 15% water loss tends to be fatal.

Workers in hot environments are especially in need of fluids during the workday. Athletes can suffer a drop in performance of up to 30% as a result of dehydration during a sporting event, so it makes sense to think that a workers’ productivity would drop significantly as well when they are dehydrated. It is in the employer’s best interest to keep their workers sufficiently hydrated.

Contact Us

If you or someone you love has been the victim of working in an environment that leads to dehydration, you may be entitled to reparations. For more information, contact the Austin employment attorney of The Melton Law Firm by calling (512) 330-0017.