Heat Illness in Construction

In construction a large portion of work is performed outdoors.  Extreme temperatures influence worker safety and during summer months workers are at a greater risk for heat stress.

Heat stress is the overall heat load on the human body that includes temperature, humidity and radiant heat in the thermal environment, and metabolic heat generated by physical activities.

Heat illness is the result of the body’s inability to expel heat, causing excessive sweat loss or an overly high body core temperature.  Ailments that can arise because of excess heat are heat stroke, heat exhaustion, heat syncope, heat cramps and heat rash.

To combat the effects of working in the heat, employees and employers must use certain strategies.

• Acclimatization is the physiological adaptation of the human body to heat.  Employee should gradually increase their work intensity and duration and exposure to the heat during this acclimatization period.
• Next you can adjust your shift times to have employees start earlier in the day to avoid working during the hottest part of the day.
• Maintain a state of hydration.  Drink water frequently, not just when you feel thirsty.  Click here (English & Spanish) to view our info-graphic that helps explain this.
• Train workers on the signs and symptoms of heat illness.

Follow the link below to watch our full video!

If you need some help training your workers on heat illness prevention or you would like someone to help with your heat illness prevention plan.  Don’t hesitate to give us a call!