When the summer days get hot, construction crews face heightened risks. Without proper precautions, the intense conditions can lead to everything from tiredness and lapses in judgment to severe health issues like heat stroke — a potentially fatal condition if not addressed quickly.
Here are some tips to help keep everyone on your jobsites safer during the hot, dry summer months.
Understand heat-related symptoms. According to the CDC, workers who are exposed to extreme heat or work in hot environments may be at risk of heat stress. Heat stress can result in heat stroke, heat exhaustion, heat cramps or heat rashes.
Heat stroke (the most serious condition) occurs when your body’s temperature regulation fails due to prolonged exposure to high temperatures. Symptoms include confusion, seizures and loss of consciousness, posing immediate dangers not just to your own health but potentially to the safety of others around you on the jobsite.
According to the U.S. Department of Health, the following are common symptoms of heat stroke you should look for:
Very high body temperature (above 103°F)
Red, hot and dry skin (no sweating)
Rapid, strong pulse
Throbbing headache
Dizziness
Upset stomach
Confusion
Passing out
Ensure your team knows the signs of heat-related illnesses like these — and if you see anyone experiencing them, act quickly.
Stay hydrated. Proper hydration is your first line of defense against heat-related illnesses. Encourage drinking water every 15 to 20 minutes rather than waiting until thirst sets in — thirst is actually a late indicator of dehydration. Here are some tips to help maintain proper hydration on your jobsites:
Set up multiple hydration stations with easy access to water.
Have your team use alarms or notifications (e.g. on their mobile phone) to remind them to drink water consistently. You can even set daily water consumption goals and track your progress as a team.
Ensure every member of your team has a personal water bottle and encourage them to keep it filled. If you can swing it, consider branding some water bottles with your company logo or tagline and hand them out as reminders.
Create shaded or air-conditioned rest areas for breaks.
Train your crew to recognize and respond to early signs of dehydration like dizziness and dark urine.
Schedule breaks. Regular, scheduled breaks are crucial, especially during peak heat hours. Consider implementing a mandatory rest period during these hours, providing a shaded or air-conditioned rest area for your team. This not only helps reduce the risk of heat-related illnesses but also counters fatigue to prevent costly mistakes.
Maintain the A/C systems in your heavy equipment. Some cabs can become significantly hotter than the outside air, especially when you add in the engine heat. Keeping air conditioning systems in optimal condition is crucial.
Regular maintenance checks should include cleaning the air filters, checking coolant levels and ensuring that your A/C systems are free from dust and debris, which tend to accumulate more during the dry, dusty summer months.
Implement a heat safety protocol. Create and enforce a heat safety protocol to reduce the incidence of heat-related illnesses. This might include training to spot the early signs of heat stress, adapting workloads and schedules during the hottest parts of the day and ensuring everyone is competent in emergency response procedures.
The risks of working in high temperatures are serious — but preventable — with the right practices in place. It’s never too late to take steps to help keep your team safe when the sun’s out and the daily temperatures soar.
Check out more safety tips for construction jobsites here.
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