Aqualyte Icy Poles

Aqualyte icy poles

Pre-frozen electrolyte icy poles that do two jobs at once: rapidly reduce core body temperature during rest breaks, and replace electrolytes lost through sweat. The most effective single intervention for heat-stressed workers during scheduled breaks — a handful of studies on occupational heat management now recommend ice-based cooling during breaks as a primary control for workers in extreme conditions.

Why icy poles work

Under sustained heat exposure, core body temperature rises over the course of a shift. Drinking cool water reduces temperature slowly; eating ice cools significantly faster due to the latent heat of fusion (melting absorbs far more energy than warming liquid water). An icy pole during a rest break can drop core temperature meaningfully in 5–10 minutes — faster than workers can cool through rest alone.

When to use

• Scheduled rest breaks in extreme heat — 35 °C+ ambient, or high-WBGT conditions. Issue 1–2 per worker per break.
• Shift end / post-work recovery — accelerate return-to-baseline body temperature.
• Return from heat exposure incidents — as part of first-aid cooling for early heat-exhaustion symptoms (alongside formal heat-illness management).
• Acclimatisation programs — new workers adapting to hot environments benefit from cooling at every break.

Distribution and storage

Icy poles ship ambient and are frozen on site in a chest freezer. A standard site chest freezer holds 200–400 icy poles depending on configuration. For a 20-worker summer crew on 30-minute break cycles, plan for 40–60 icy poles per day during heat waves.

Break-time management

Pair icy-pole distribution with shaded rest areas, mandatory break enforcement, and supervisor observation of heat-stress symptoms (sluggishness, irritability, confusion, lack of sweat despite heat). Icy poles treat the symptom (elevated core temp) but don't substitute for adequate break duration and shade.

Compared to sachets

Icy poles are a cooling intervention as much as a hydration one — they're not a sachet replacement. Run icy poles alongside sachets (for bottle fills) rather than as the primary electrolyte source. A typical hot-weather supply is bottles + sachets for baseline hydration and icy poles at structured breaks.

Standards & compliance

FSANZ-compliant frozen food packaging, Australian-made, ingredient and nutritional disclosure on the carton.

Frequently asked questions

Do icy poles need to be frozen?

Yes — the cooling effect depends on the phase-change from solid to liquid. Melted icy poles are still drinkable but lose the cooling benefit. Issue frozen, eaten immediately.

How many icy poles per worker per shift?

For high-heat conditions (35 °C+), 2–3 per worker over scheduled breaks. For moderate heat, 1 per worker at the mid-shift break is typical. Exceed this if workers show signs of cumulative heat stress.

Do we need a dedicated freezer?

A standard commercial chest freezer on site — not the same freezer used for food — is ideal. Hygiene is maintained by keeping icy poles in their sealed packaging until distributed.

Do you offer trade or bulk pricing?

Yes — trade accounts receive 5% off RRP, and carton/pallet quantities for summer-season stockpiling qualify for additional discounts. Recommended to order icy poles ahead of the summer season as demand spikes in peak heat. Apply for a trade account →