The construction industry struggles with a high level of direct sunlight. Since high temperatures can cause a variety of health risks, it's essential to be vigilant to safeguard your staff members' well-being while ensuring they keep being productive under the sun.
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1. Understand and Use the Heat Index
Calculating the heat index, which determines how hot it feels, considers temperature and humidity. Nevertheless, working in heavy protective clothing and gear can intensify the heat from the sun much more than the index suggests. Project leaders should pay extra attention to weather projections and maintain the index. Additionally, it is important to consider that humidity and temperature can be equally oppressive on haze or cloud-cover days.
2. Schedule Heavy Work During the Cooler Times of Day
In the blazing heat of the day, working shifts that begin early in the morning, evening, or night shifts might save many hours. Integrating time monitoring software will facilitate the identification of employees who are taking extended breaks due to inclement weather and their locations, enabling the resumption of project collaboration and the establishment of effective team coordination.
3. Have an Emergency Plan
Knowing to respond appropriately to circumstances involving heat illness can make a significant difference when assisting a victim. Ensure that a sufficient supply of water and ice packs is available at the construction site and that all employees know their location in an emergency. As mentioned, notify the supervisors of any symptoms you are experiencing so that the appropriate actions can be taken and care can be provided; regardless of whether an individual reports that they are in good health, it is crucial to remind employees that the decision to report or assist an individual who may be experiencing heat illness can be life-saving.
4. Provide Shade
Although workers are compelled to work in the sun, it is imperative to consider installing canopies or umbrellas to offer shelter during breaks or when they are not at work. By allowing your employees to rest in the shade, they will be able to cool off adequately. Accordingly, breakrooms equipped with air conditioning are also highly recommended.
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5. Allow Acclimation
New hires or those absent because of illness or vacation should start at 50% of the typical workload and work up to a full workload over 5-7 days. It will reportedly help their bodies to adapt to the humidity and strenuous activities.
6. Wear Proper Clothing
Workers should be provided with mesh safety vests, contributing to increased ventilation. Employees can benefit from wearing high-visibility gear during the warmest summer days since it bounces sunlight instead of absorbing it. Other accessories, such as cooling headbands or hardhat sweatbands, are also available for workers to maintain their comfort while on the job.
7. Create Awareness
Make sure that your staff members are equipped to identify heat-related stress symptoms, especially cramping, vertigo, and confusion. Early detection of these signs allows one to treat them to improve the worker's condition before it gets worse. If your employees observe any of these signs in themselves or others, they should be encouraged to contact a manager. If the manager loses consciousness or doesn't feel better after sleeping in an air-conditioned place, they should phone 911.
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