As summer approaches and temperatures rise, it is important employers know how to protect workers from potential dehydration and heat exhaustion, which can cause injury or even death.
The National Center for Construction Education and Research shares the following management strategies project supervisors and construction crew leaders should implement to keep employees safe in the heat.
- Avoid direct sunlight when possible. The sun’s ultraviolet rays are most intense between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. Although it can be difficult to avoid sun exposure when working on a roof, project managers can provide work tents and shade canopies on the job site so workers can get as much relief as possible during breaks.
- Dress appropriately for the heat. Crew leaders must ensure everyone is dressed appropriately for the summer heat. Lightweight, breathable clothes made of cotton, wool and polyester can be comfortable and have effective moisture-wicking abilities. Clothes should also be light in color to reflect the heat; the best hues to wear in hot weather reportedly are white, gray, red and yellow.
- Provide plenty of water. It’s not enough to tell employees to stay hydrated. Project supervisors should enforce a strict hydration policy for workers during the summer, encouraging them to bring at least 2 liters to work; providing them with plenty of extra bottles; and reminding them to slowly sip their water instead of gulping it to get the maximum amount of hydration.
- Stay in or stay out. Employees should not constantly go between indoor and outdoor environments during the summer. There is a significant temperature difference between a 90-degree day outdoors and a 68-degree air-conditioned building, and workers who go back and forth put more strain on their bodies.
- Promote healthy lifestyle habits. Crew leaders should encourage workers to eat healthy, exercise and get sufficient sleep. People who do not care for themselves will become more susceptible to heat exhaustion. Companies can help workers by providing nutritious snacks, including water-rich foods such as oranges, watermelons and strawberries. It also is important to provide training to explain the dangers and warning signs of heat-related health problems.
- Have a generous break policy. Frequent breaks are necessary for employees’ health. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention offers a heat stress break schedule companies can use to determine how often their workers should rest. The CDC recommends a 15-minute break for every 45 minutes of heavy work once the temperature reaches 95 degrees. Break periods become more frequent as the temperature increases.
