Beat The Heat – A Few Words On Construction During the Summer

A construction worker staying hydrated while working on-site, sipping water from a bottle.
It’s July, and we’re in the thick of summer now.  The days are longer, the sun is hotter, and that means the dangers of heat stress and heat-related illness are on the rise.  In California we have extra hot summers where more daylight hours should mean more productivity, but the extreme heat index and humidity have different plans.  Acknowledging this problem and planning for hot summer months typically falls by the wayside in most construction companies.  Either people get complacent or start to believe that they won’t suffer from any heat-related illnesses – both dangerous places to be.  Today we’ll detail common signs of heatstroke, how to prevent it, and the best strategies to minimize heat-related issues on the jobsite.

Recognizing the Problem

When working in a warm environment, the body has to maintain a delicate balance between the internal temperature and the external air temperature.  The body first circulates blood to the surface of the skin to be cooled, then uses perspiration to produce sweat that will naturally dry and cool the body.  However, when the external air temperature is close to or warmer than the body’s internal temperature, sweating is the only way the body can cool itself.

When the body can’t rid itself of excess heat, the core temperature and heart rate rise to dangerous levels.  Heavy perspiration leads to a loss of concentration, sickness, and fainting.  The big problem with sweating is that it only works if the humidity level is low enough to allow said sweat to evaporate.  Sweating also draws upon your body’s natural store of fluids and electrolytes, meaning prolonged sweating could drain you of important regulatory resources.

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has an ongoing “Water.  Rest.  Shade.” campaign that educates professionals on the dangers of working in the heat.  Interestingly, people react in different ways to heat – some report few symptoms, while others report the common headaches, nausea, and vomiting.  Those that are new to working outdoors, overweight, older, or have pre-existing conditions are at a higher risk when working in a hot environment.  The following symptoms or ailments are tell tale signs of heatstroke, according to OSHA:

It is extremely important to catch and police the signs of heatstroke early on in the process.  Both OSHA and industry experts urge employees to keep an eye on each other, creating a system of trust when someone says they don’t feel well on the job.  Don’t try to be a hero when it comes to heat-related illnesses…they are serious!

Adapting Solutions

When you look at OSHA heat illness statistics, you’ll see an industry average of about 2500 workers that suffer from heat-related illnesses every year, with around 15 yearly deaths related to heat-stroke on the job.  While these numbers are frightening, constructional experts all think those averages are low, considering the millions of construction workers that that under-report the severity of their cases.

While some heat-related illnesses are handled with a bit of hydration, rest, and shade, serious complications could lead to hospital stays and time away from work.  It’s imperative to catch the signs of heatstroke early in the game to prevent labor and progress problems on the jobsite.  OSHA has a framework that aims to prevent heat-illness problems that covers the following:

Planning for the complications of a hot summer is not an easy task, but it will help you properly manage your projects and staff during a tough time.  Practices like adjusting work schedules, introducing staff shifts, or implementing more breaks will keep your staff fresher, more alert, and on the ball.  Tents and canopies that provide shade for outdoor staff are also of chief importance, alongside misting fans that help crews cool down.  It’s also key to provide drinking water onsite that is clean and easily-accessible – OSHA recommends workers hydrate every 15 minutes.

Heat safety is extremely important this summer – don’t overlook the signs, symptoms, and practices that can make a difference for your construction crew.  Your staff is an important asset on the job…make sure that they stay engaged, productive, and healthy this summer season.

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