Cool Ideas: K-State expert urges farmers to follow safety tips on hot days

Light clothing, cooling vests should be part of safety equipment

At a glance: Summer’s hottest days are still ahead in Kansas, but farm and ranch work won’t stop during hot weather. Take steps to keep yourself safe as the temperatures rise.

More information: Tawnie Larson, 785-532-2976, tawnie@ksu.edu

June 9, 2025

K-State Research and Extension news service

MANHATTAN, Kan. – Summer’s hottest days are likely still ahead in Kansas, but Tawnie Larson knows that “farm and ranch work won’t stop during hot weather.”

So, Larson -- a program manager in Kansas State University’s Carl and Melinda Helwig Department of Biological and Agricultural Engineering and the Kansas Agriculture Safety and Health Program – is putting in some sound advice for farmers this summer.

“Wear lightweight, long-sleeved, light-colored clothing, or a cooling vest and take short, frequent breaks in a shaded or cool area to stay cool while working outdoors,” Larson said.

She said that technical cooling vests “are essentially like wearing air conditioning.”

“The vests use specialized fabric and fibers to circulate cooling products to keep body temperatures low during hot days,” she said.

Larson also suggests using equipment with a canopy, such as a Rollover Protection Structure, known as ROPS, with a sunshade.

“Usually, the ROPS with canopies cannot be folded down, which in turn provides more safety for operators because the ROPS is always activated,” Larson said. “Equipment that has an enclosed cab often times comes with air conditioning and has a built-in ROPS. Both of these options provide safety from rollovers and can help prevent heat-related illness.”

Larson notes that each individual reacts to hot days different, so it’s important to listen to your body. “Take frequent breaks and stay inside during the hottest part of the day,” she said.

“Medication may also play a role in affecting one’s body’s ability to stay cool, making it harder to handle the heat,” Larson said. “Before working outside this summer, check with your doctor to see if you’re at higher risk for heat-related illness and whether you should take extra-precautions due to medication.”

According to the Kansas Mesonet, the hottest part of the day in Kansas is between 3 p.m. and 6 p.m.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends drinking 1 cup of water every 15-20 minutes, and before becoming thirsty. The CDC also recommends keeping sugary and alcoholic drinks to a minimum. Replace salt and minerals with snacks or a sports drink.

Heat stroke symptoms include high body temperature; hot, dry, red or damp skin; fast, strong pulse; headache; dizziness; nausea; confusion; and lack of consciousness. Larson said that if a person is suffering from heat stroke:

Call 9-1-1 immediately.

Move the person to a cooler place.

Lower the person’s temperature with cooler clothes.

Do not give the person anything to drink.

“Heat exhaustion is different and usually not as serious,” Larson said, noting that symptoms of exhaustion may include heavy sweating; cold, pale and clammy skin; fast, weak pulse; nausea; tiredness; headache; and fainting.

“If this occurs, take action by moving to a cool place, loosen clothing, get cool, sip water and seek medical attention if symptoms last longer than an hour or get worse,” Larson said.

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