Keeping Your Team Safe in the Heat: Tips You Can Take to Beat the Heat

By: Angelo Christopher, General Superintendent

The hot temperatures of summer are hard on all of us, but especially for those working in construction. Rising temperatures bring heat-related illnesses. It is important to stay educated and take precautions to keep yourself and everyone on your team safe. Fortunately, heat-related illnesses are easily preventable. Here are some tips to promote summer construction safety among your team and fellow workers:

1) Drink Water, Even When You Do Not Feel Thirsty: The most important way to protect yourself from heat illness this summer is to ensure you have access to plenty of water on the construction site. Drinking water will keep your body from being dehydrated and overheated. Keep water in close distance and take frequent hydration breaks.

2) Take Plenty of Breaks: Be sure to take breaks to help your mind and body rest and recuperate in the shade. Frequent breaks can prevent your body from reaching high temperatures, as well as help you be more mentally equipped to deal with the heat.

3) Dress For the Heat: Choose lightweight safety apparel in the summer, as these garments will provide more breathability and prevent heat from becoming trapped next to your skin.

4) Strategically Plan Timing of Jobs: Try to schedule your work for the morning or evening hours, before the peak of heat hits. If you have a combination of outdoor work and indoor work to do, plan to work indoors on the hotter days, and leave the exterior work for the cooler days.

5) Keep Yourself and Your Team Educated: By providing pieces of training and studying the signs and symptoms of heat illness, you can be better prepared to recognize them in yourself and in your team members. Symptoms include heavy sweating, fatigue, muscle cramps, headache, nausea, dizziness, and shortness of breath. Always treat every symptom seriously.

6) Look Out For Each Other: Team members should fully understand and follow heat safety rules on site. Your team should not only look out for one another but encourage their teammates to drink water or take breaks when needed.

For more information and materials visit: OSHA.gov

Stay cool and stay safe!