Heat stroke, heat exhaustion, heat cramps, and heat rash are all major concerns on a construction site. Given the fact that the human body experiences strain once it’s 1.8 degrees outside its optimal temperature, construction companies need to be careful to ensure that their workers aren’t being exposed to an unnecessary level of risk.
Below, you’ll learn a few of the measures that can be taken to prevent heat-related conditions on a construction site. We hope this helps you maintain a safer workplace.
Allow Time For Workers to Acclimatize to the Heat
The risk of heat-related conditions on a construction site is highest during the first few days of a project. In fact, anywhere from 50-70% of heat-related conditions occur during this time. This is because the human body needs time to acclimatize to new temperatures.
In order for workers to acclimatize properly, their work hours should start small and slowly be increased over the span of one or two weeks. If workers haven’t previously worked in hot environments before, it’s worth spending the time to explain how to mitigate heat issues.
Prepare The Site
Shade and water are both important for mitigating the effects of heat. How you provide shade will vary depending on the site in question: in some cases a tent may be sufficient, while in higher temperatures you’ll want to ensure that workers are able to go to an air-conditioned area. Accessibility is important when determining where people will get shade, as this allows heat-affected individuals to quickly get out of the sun.
It’s important for site supervisors to ensure that workers are drinking cool water. While this means it’s important to bring water to the site, it’s also worth encouraging workers to bring their own drinks from home in order to stay cool.
Don’t Let Heat Problems Go Undetected
If someone is feeling strain due to the heat, you need to ensure that they are taken care of as soon as possible. There are a few different ways to go about doing this. The first is to help them understand the warning signs of heat-related problems. Training and reminders are essential for self-monitoring.
Along with that, it’s also good to have a buddy system. Workers are best-positioned to notice when someone else on the site is showing signs of a heat-related condition. Finally, it’s important that supervisors on a site are aware of the signs of heat-related conditions. This allows them to take action early.
Construction Staffing – Talent Corps
If you’re looking for a construction staffing agency, you’ve come to the right place. Talent Corps got its start in construction, because that’s the industry we’re most familiar with. For years, we’ve been providing excellent matches between construction talent and companies.
If you have any questions or you’d like to discuss any job openings you’re looking to fill, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us via our contact us page.