The blisteringly hot temperatures of summer are hard on all of us, especially those working in construction. Summer is peak construction season, meaning there’s usually no choice but to continue working as usual, even on the very hottest of days. It’s important to understand heat risks, and the necessary precautions to keep everyone safe during summer. To avoid the dangerous effects of heat stroke, or heat exhaustion, keeping yourself focused, hydrated, and prepared is essential. 

Tips for Handling Summer Construction With Vigor 

• It’s important for the entire team to be aware of the threats when working under extreme heat. Educate the team about the dangers of heat stroke and heat exhaustion, their symptoms, and how to prevent them. 
• The best way to stay hydrated and healthier during summer construction is to keep an abundant supply of water. 
• Schedule plenty of breaks during hot summer days. Although this slows down the project, it protects workers from heat illness.
• Breaks are even more effective if they are taken in spaces with shade, such as trees, tents and awnings.
• Personal protective equipment must be worn at all times on construction sites. During summer, make sure that workers have clothes that protect them from job hazards but also relieve them from heat.
• If after excessive sweating, you begin to feel dizzy, nauseous, confused or disoriented, have slurred speech, get a throbbing heading or worse, you suddenly stop sweating altogether, you need to hydrate immediately. 

Risks of Heat 

The two most significant summer risks for construction workers are heat stroke and heat exhaustion. Both conditions can have severe consequences if left unattended, and it’s important to provide learning material for everyone on site. This way, they will know the symptoms and signs for each case, and how to react.

Heat Stroke 

Heat stroke occurs when the body has overheated to a point where it is unable to cool down by itself. If heat stroke is not treated on time, it can cause damage to the brain, kidneys and heart, even leading to death in severe cases. The main symptoms are confusion, fever, nausea, vomiting, red skin, rapid heart rate and headaches.

Heat Exhaustion 

Heat exhaustion is a less extreme version of a heat stroke. It also happens when the body overheats, but the symptoms are less severe. Heat exhaustion can turn into heat stroke if untreated. The main symptoms are intense sweating, goosebumps, cool skin, fatigue, pulse alteration, nausea, headache and low blood pressure.

At One Stop Hire, we can sympathize with all construction technicians. We should all take better care of ourselves.