During the hot summer months, construction moves into overdrive. Workers in this industry are grateful for the work… and may be quietly struggling with the heat.
If they’re not careful in hot weather, construction workers can suffer dehydration, muscle pain, and heat stroke. That’s for starters.
To help out, here are some tips by Mike Flynn a health and safety expert…
- Flynn stated that construction employees need to be trained to look for signs and symptoms of overheating. The most common symptoms include paleness, unsteadiness, and excessive sweating.
- Heat can also cause workers to shed their protective gear which can be dangerous when working in construction or next to traffic. Workers need opportunities to remain hydrated and extra monitoring to ensure proper safety protocols are followed…
- Workers may also lose concentration while on the job due to the high heat conditions. Flynn noted this and strongly advises construction company owners and managers to be as sympathetic as possible to outdoor workers.
For employees who have not been trained on staying safe in extreme weather conditions, Flynn encouraged folks to download the OSHA Heat Safety App so that they could come to work better prepared. (Check it out here: https://www.osha.gov/heat/)
This application lists the daily heat index and also has precautions that people should take in order to stay safe when outside.
In addition the resources offered by OSHA, it’s also a good idea to start the work day as early as possible. This will reduce the amount of time spent working outside at the hottest part of the day. Additionally, make sure to drink water constantly throughout the day and wear a wide-brimmed hat in order to limit the amount of direct UV exposure.
For other risk management thoughts to help keep your worker’s comp rates as low as possible, be sure to reach out to us. We love to help!
