With temperatures reaching all time highs across the country, many construction teams are trying to keep their workers cool while still moving their projects forward.
OSHA’s current guidance of rest, hydrate, and shade is only the start to keeping your team safe. Below are 6 simple tips for keeping them cool and protected during the summer months:
1. Know the Signs of Heat Related Illness
Heat-related illnesses like heat rash, heat cramps, heat exhaustion, and heat stroke can come on fast, so it’s important to know their signs. Common signs of heat illness include:
- Thirst and/or dehydration
- Fatigue
- Excess sweating, or the inability to sweat normally
- Lightheadedness or fainting
- Low blood pressure
- Nervous system dysfunction
- Cramping or muscle spasms
- Nausea or vomiting
- Fast or shallow breathing
- Increased heart rate
- Headache
- Dizziness
- Mental confusion
Train your workers to keep a lookout for these signs in themselves and others, and empower them to take action when they notice something’s not right. Always keep a first aid kit and extra water at every job site.
2. Have Hydration Stations
Hydration is key! Not drinking enough water when carrying out heavy manual labor is one of the quickest ways to dehydrate.
Make sure your crew members are drinking water or other hydrating fluids like sports drinks, coconut water, or juices every 15-20 minutes, and avoid large amounts of coffee, sodas, and alcohol, which can lead to dehydration. Encourage your team to bring their own beverage containers to fill with water, and have water bottles or a water station on site.
3. Be the Best Dressed
Make sure your staff are outfitted in proper clothing for their working conditions. Light-colored, loose fitting, and lightweight garments will help keep workers from overheating.
Moisture wicking clothing is a great option, as this material draws the sweat off the body, keeping you both cool and dry. Natural fibers like cotton will also absorb moisture and are breathable. If it’s in your budget, providing a few company T-shirts to each crew member is a great way to ensure they have the proper attire while showing them you appreciate them being part of your team.
4. Wear Sunscreen
Similar to wearing the proper clothing, sunscreen will help your team prevent burns, which are painful and make it harder for the body to regulate temperature. Provide a sweat-proof, broad-spectrum sunscreen on your job sites and encourage your staff to reapply frequently.
5. Start Early and Pay Attention
Temperatures usually peak between 3 and 5pm, so if possible, shift your workday to avoid these hours. Also keep an eye on the heat index, which combines relative humidity with air temperature to find the apparent temperature (aka, what it actually feels like outside). You can download OSHA’s Health Safety Mobile App here and it will tell you the apparent temperature, the risk to workers, and suggested measures to protect your team.
6. Stay Cool
If the air temperature is near or above body temperature (98.6° F), the blood circulated to the surface of your skin is unable to shed heat.
The body will begin to sweat, but if the humidity is too high and the sweat is unable to evaporate, it can’t leave your body and cool it down. This can lead to overheating.
To combat this and keep your internal temperature at a safe level, make sure your crews are taking frequent breaks in the shade or in an air conditioned building, trailer, or vehicle. If you can’t provide an air conditioned space, set up portable, circulating fans. Also provide cool water, both for hydration and for staff to wet rags, which they can place on pulse points like the neck, wrists, elbows, and tops of the feet and quickly bring down their internal body temperatures. Cooling vests and neck coolers are also great ways to keep cool and avoid heat related injuries.
Worker safety should always be top priority, and knowing how to avoid heat-related illness is one of the best ways to keep them going strong. If you need more help over the summer or beyond, Steadfast Entities, LLC is here to help with all of your staffing needs. Contact us today!