How to Beat the Heat on the Construction Site

A construction worker with a contractor license drinking water in front of a crane.

Summer is under way, and by all signs, this year’s going to be a scorcher. Since this season tends to be the busiest one of the year, you need to plan ahead. Excessive exposure to heat can make it harder for you to complete projects and put you and your employees at risk. This is true even if you’ve lived in the area your whole life and are used to it. Here are five ways to manage or prevent heat-related problems on the jobsite.

  1. Set a Reasonable Schedule

In an industry where there are busy seasons and periods where work is thin on the ground, it’s tempting to fill the schedule during the summer. After all, if you can complete a ton of projects in a few months, it can help balance out your obligations the rest of the year. However, like winter, there are reasons you don’t want to overbook in the summer. Working 12 hours a day, six days a week in 100+ temperatures will take its toll, if you can even manage it at all. Instead, if you get stuck in a heat wave, keep some padding in the schedule to help you stay on time.

  1. Time Projects for Cooler Weather

If you think creatively, there are a lot of ways you can use lower-temperature days to your advantage. Working during cooler morning temperatures can help, but only to a certain degree. After all, if you are working in parts of California that hit 90 degrees by mid-morning, starting by 7 am only saves you so much. Instead, consider switching up your schedule. Put together a small stash of preconstructed items in the spring, so that they are ready to go once the mercury starts rising. If you have the option, work through part of the night.

  1. Locate Places to Cool Off

Many construction workers have to travel to individual jobsites that may change by the week, or even the day. You can’t always count on using an air-conditioned building onsite for lunch or breaks. For each location, you need to scope out a few places you can go for rest and refreshment. Eat lunch at a casual restaurant and enjoy the blast of the A/C. It’s better than burning through your gas tank running your vehicle as you try to cool down.

  1. Provide Protective Gear Against Heat

You’re used to accommodating needs for safety equipment. In many cases, it’s a law you need to follow. Just like you’d give someone a hard hat or a pair of gloves for a certain job, you should help your employees manage their heat exposure. This might mean investing in:

This gear can make it easier for people to focus on their work, which improves productivity and reduces the likelihood of injury.

  1. Know the Signs of Heat-Related Illnesses

When you’re busy trying to complete a task or finish a project, it can be all too easy to ignore signs that your body is struggling. After all, if it’s exceptionally hot outside, you’re going to feel hot, right? But it’s important to know the difference between a heat level you can manage and a dangerous situation that could become deadly. There many common symptoms of heat-related illnesses, including:

Keep in mind that without changing the environment, these symptoms aren’t likely to go away on their own. Someone who stops sweating isn’t necessary cool and comfortable. In fact, a decrease in symptoms can sometimes mean that the problem is getting worse. Make sure that you and your employees understand which signs to watch for, and how to remedy them safely.

Summer usually means blazing temperatures and a hot market for work in construction. If you keep your cool, you can get to fall without risk. To start building your contracting career, visit CSLS today!