How to Stay Safe For On-Site Construction Jobs This Summer
In most cases, construction work won't pause for the weather. That means, come rain or cold or heat, the team will continue the job. In the summer, it's likely you and your construction crew will worry about the latter — and it should be a major concern. This is especially true considering summer's the busiest season for the industry, so you can't quite pause every time it's hot. Instead, follow these 6 tips to stay safe on the job this season and beyond:
1. Schedule Around the Heat
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Depending on the location of the job, you may be able to work outside of the day's hottest hours, such as in the early morning or late at night. You probably can't get away with such a plan in a residential area, but other jobs might allow you to adjust your schedule to work during cooler times of day.
2. Find Some Shade
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Another way to keep things cool is to work in the shade. Of course, in construction, this isn't always possible — you're building something, after all, and without much of a structure you have few places to bask in the shade. So, perhaps you can bring along or rent canopies or umbrellas under which to work.
On top of that, you can provide workers with added protection against the sun with wide-brim construction hats or visors, long-sleeved work shirts, bandanas, and more. Sunscreen should also be handy — make sure to select a variety that can withstand hours of outdoor labor, sweat, etc.
3. Promote Physical Health
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The healthier you are, the better prepared your body will be to withstand the heat. Whether you're leading a team of construction workers or you're laboring yourself, be sure to promote the merits of physical fitness — excessive body fat won't help anyone in the heat, so shaping up can be a safety measure for those working in the industry.
4. Drink Lots of Water
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Water might be the most essential heat-fighting tool you have on your construction site. Drinking plenty of water throughout the day can help ward off heat-related illness by cooling you down. It also replenishes all the fluid you lose by sweating, which will be a lot when you work in the heat. As such, as a general rule of thumb, try to drink 16 to 32 ounces of water per hour while working in the heat.
5. Avoid Dehydrating Beverages
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This tip goes hand in hand with the one above — be sure that what you're drinking hydrates your body. Water does this well, as do some electrolyte-enriched sports drinks. However, sugary drinks or those pumped with caffeine won't provide the quenching hydration you need. So, stick to water or, if you have to have a flavored beverage, chase it with some H2O so that you don't dehydrate yourself.
6. Learn the Signs of Heat-Related Illness
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Even with plenty of preventative measures in place, accidents happen. Perhaps you or a colleague doesn't drink enough water, or they overdo by toiling in the sun for hours without a break in the shade. No matter what happens, it's vital for everyone on-site to know the symptoms of heat-related illness so they can jump into action when necessary. For instance, if someone's having heatstroke, they might stop sweating in spite of the heat. Their heart rate could spike, and they could experience a splitting headache, too.
A construction worker might also have heat exhaustion, cramps, rash or fainting caused by the temperature. Familiarize yourself with those ailments and best practices for treating them if they occur.
Keep Your Cool
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With the proper training, a summertime construction site will be just as safe as it is during the rest of the year. Keep your cool with these six tips and, before you know it, you'll be working in the crisp fall air.
Bio: Emily is a green tech writer who covers topics in renewable energy and sustainable design. You can read more of her work on her blog, Conservation Folks.
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