There’s a lot to be aware of when you’re working on a construction site. You have to be constantly monitoring the equipment and workers around you, as well as on-site conditions that could be hazardous to operate in. On top of that, you also have to be conscious of seasonal factors that can affect job safety and performance.
In the summer time, when temperatures and humidity are at a high, heat illness is one of those crucial concerns you need to be alert about. Before the season gets underway, take these steps to protect your crew from heat-related illness.
Make sure construction workers can recognize the signs of heat illness.
If your crew members don’t know the signs of heat illness, they won’t be able to treat it properly or promptly. Heat exhaustion and heatstroke are the two biggest heat-related issues. Symptoms of heat exhaustion include:
- Headaches
- Dizziness
- Cool and wet skin
- Rapid pulse and/or breathing
Symptoms of heatstroke, which is more serious and considered a medical emergency, include:
- Lack of sweating despite hot body temperature
- Loss of consciousness
- Nausea and/or vomiting
- Confusion/disorientation
- Seizures
Educate your crew about methods for preventing heat illness.
Along with knowing the signs of heat illness, your construction team should know how to protect themselves from it in the first place. The most important step for prevention is to drink plenty of water and electrolytes throughout the day. Workers should be drinking regularly and not wait until they feel thirsty, as this means they’re already dehydrated.
Also advise your crew to wear lightweight, light-colored, loose clothing, as well as sunglasses and sunscreen, along with their normal PPE. It might also be a good idea to set up a buddy system, where workers are paired up to monitor each other (along with themselves) for signs of heat illness.
Create a summer work schedule that minimizes heat exposure.
The hottest time of day is between 11am and 2pm. Be conscious of this peak when scheduling work, so crew members aren’t completing their most laborious tasks during this time. Starting them earlier, for example, will allow them to do more work in the cooler mornings and wind down when peak time arrives. Take care to only schedule the heaviest workloads for before or after this window.
Arrange for your team to take frequent breaks throughout the day as well in cool, shaded areas where they can rehydrate and refuel.
No matter what season you’re working in, the one safety tool you’ll always need for your project is hardwood crane mats. Crane mats stabilize the ground beneath your equipment, can serve as temporary access roads, and provide ground protection in vulnerable environments. At Ritter Forest Products, we can provide you with quality crane mats at affordable rental prices.
Contact us today to order the rental mats you need for your next project!
