The Safety Rule That Surprises Everyone

NWS Weekly | Blog Post | July 7, 2026

Sometimes protecting workers comes down to the smallest details.

"We've got water on the job site."

For many employers, that's enough.

But here's a question that surprises a lot of people:

Is the water actually cold?

It might sound like a small detail, but when workers are performing physically demanding tasks under the summer sun, the temperature of the water they're drinking can make a meaningful difference.

That question reminded me of something that happened while we were filming content for one of our recent social media campaigns.

Our Senior Safety Consultant, Johan Ordóñez, was conducting a routine site audit on one of the hottest days of the summer.

As he walked the job site, he asked a supervisor a simple question: "Do you provide water for your crews?"

"Absolutely," the supervisor replied. "We keep it in a refrigerator."

Many people would've taken the answer and moved on. Johan didn't. With years of experience in the field, he politely asked,

"Would you mind showing me?"

The supervisor gladly walked him over to the refrigerator. When Johan opened it, he found exactly what he hoped to see, plenty of cold bottles of water ready for the crew.

Before leaving, he thanked the supervisor and simply said, "Just make sure it stays stocked throughout the day."

That interaction lasted less than a minute, but it demonstrated something that often separates a good safety culture from a great one.

Safety isn't built on assumptions. It's built on verification.

Why Cold Water Matters

California's Heat Illness Prevention Standard requires employers to provide drinking water that is fresh, pure, suitably cool, free of charge, and located as close as practicable to where employees are working.¹ It also requires enough water for employees to drink up to one quart per hour, with procedures in place to replenish supplies throughout the shift as needed.¹

While these regulations apply specifically in California, they represent a practical best practice that employers across the country can adopt.

Because heat doesn't recognize state lines.

According to OSHA, millions of workers across the United States are exposed to hazardous heat every year. Thousands experience heat-related illnesses, and some cases are fatal. The encouraging news is that nearly all heat-related illnesses are preventable with proper planning, training, and hydration.²

Water Alone Isn't Enough

Earlier this week, our CEO, Monik Hernández, shared a story that made all of us laugh, and then think.

After spending part of her weekend gardening in the Texas heat, she said she was completely drenched in sweat. Right in the middle of it, she received a call from one of our incredible Site Safety Managers, Deidre Sims.

After hearing Monik describe just how exhausting the heat had been, Deidre laughed.

"That's my everyday."

Working on active job sites means spending hours in extreme temperatures, so she shared a few of the ways her crews stay ahead of dehydration.

One of them?

Pickle popsicles.

Strange? Maybe.

Effective? Actually, yes.

Pickle juice naturally contains electrolytes like sodium and potassium, helping replace some of the minerals the body loses through sweat. They're not a substitute for water, but they can be a practical way to support hydration during long, hot workdays.⁴

Deidre also shared another one of her go-to strategies: adding an electrolyte drink mix packet to her water bottle.

According to the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, electrolyte drink mixes can help replace minerals lost through sweating while supporting normal muscle and nerve function. During prolonged work in extreme heat, they can be a helpful complement to water, not a replacement for it.⁵

That brings us to another common misconception.

Energy Isn't Hydration

When fatigue starts setting in, many workers reach for an energy drink.

The problem?

Energy isn't the same as hydration.

Many popular energy drinks contain high amounts of caffeine and added sugar. While they may provide a temporary boost, they shouldn't replace water during hot workdays. If you choose to drink one, continue drinking water consistently throughout the day and consider lower-sugar options that also contain electrolytes.⁶

The goal isn't just staying awake.

It's staying hydrated.

Building Layers of Protection

Cold water is important, but it's only one part of a strong heat illness prevention program.

Employers should also provide:

• Access to shaded or cooled recovery areas.

• Scheduled cool-down breaks.

• Heat acclimatization for new and returning workers.

• Training to recognize the signs and symptoms of heat illness.

• A plan for responding quickly if someone begins showing signs of heat stress.¹²

  
  

Sometimes the best safety programs aren't built on one big solution.

They're built on a hundred small decisions made consistently every day.

The Bottom Line

When Johan asked to see the refrigerator that day, he wasn't trying to catch someone doing something wrong.

He was checking on people.

Because sometimes protecting workers isn't about a complicated policy. Sometimes, it's as simple as making sure the next bottle of water is cold.

As temperatures continue to rise this summer, don't just ask:

"Do we have water?"

Ask the better question:

"Are we doing everything we can to keep our crews cool, hydrated, and safe?"

Small details prevent big tragedies.

People First. Safety Always.

About HEAT//26

HEAT//26 is NW Safety's Extreme Heat Awareness campaign dedicated to helping employers build safer workplaces through practical education, real-world stories, and proven best practices.

Throughout July, we'll explore heat stress, fatigue, hydration, environmental safety, and worker protection—because safety starts long before an emergency happens.

References

1. California Division of Occupational Safety and Health (Cal/OSHA). Title 8, Section 3395 – Heat Illness Prevention in Outdoor Places of Employment. https://www.dir.ca.gov/title8/3395.html

2. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). Heat Exposure: Standards. https://www.osha.gov/heat-exposure/standards

3. AlertMedia. OSHA Heat Regulations: What Employers Need to Know. https://www.alertmedia.com/blog/osha-heat-regulations/

4. Foodie. Why Pickle Popsicles Might Be the Summer Treat You Didn't Know You Needed. https://www.foodie.com/1417854/tiktok-trend-pickle-popsicles/

5. Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health. Electrolyte Drinks. https://nutritionsource.hsph.harvard.edu/electrolyte-drinks/

6. Tasting Table. Healthy Energy Drinks You Can Find in Any Grocery Store. https://www.tastingtable.com/771071/healthy-energy-drinks-you-can-find-in-any-grocery-store/