TT Club is urging ports, terminals and warehouse operators to treat dehydration as a serious workplace safety risk, warning that its impact on worker performance can be comparable to alcohol impairment.
The global transport and logistics insurer says dehydration should receive the same level of risk management attention as alcohol consumption, particularly in industries where employees operate heavy machinery, work at height and manage complex cargo-handling tasks.
“The comparison with alcohol is striking and should serve as a wake-up call for operators,” said Neil Dalus, risk assessment manager at TT Club.
“We would not tolerate a worker starting a shift having consumed alcohol. Yet, dehydration, which can produce some equivalent impairments, is often treated as a minor welfare issue rather than a genuine safety risk.”
While dehydration risks are greatest during hot and humid conditions, TT Club warns that the hazard exists throughout the year. Workers using personal protective equipment, even in cooler environments, can experience significant fluid loss through sweating, making hydration an essential part of workplace safety procedures.
Research has shown that even mild dehydration can affect key cognitive abilities, including memory, attention and reaction times. A 2023 study by Loughborough University found that inadequately hydrated drivers performed at a similar error rate to individuals with a blood alcohol concentration of 0.08%, the UK drink-drive limit.
TT Club warned that changing climate patterns are increasing the challenge, with prolonged heatwaves affecting regions not traditionally associated with extreme temperatures. The organisation said risk assessments must reflect these changing conditions rather than relying on historical expectations.
The insurer is encouraging companies to introduce structured hydration programmes, including accessible water stations, scheduled hydration breaks, reusable water bottles, workforce training and monitoring tools to help identify workers at risk.
“Operators need to make sure workers have access and opportunity to keep themselves well-hydrated,” Dalus said, adding that hydration should become a core element of occupational safety strategies alongside fatigue management and heat stress controls.
