Beat the Heat: Keeping Cool at the Construction Site

Abstract

Construction workers are at high risk for heat-related illnesses due to the strenuous nature of their jobs and prolonged exposure to the heat and humidity brought on during the summer months. The risk is increased for workers where the temperature can reach higher than the outside air temperature such as those performing roof work, road construction or doing interior work on a building with no air conditioning and poor ventilation. To acclimatize, you should start doing about 50% of your normal workload and gradually work up to 100% over the next 5 to 7 days so your body can adjust to the heat and strenuous activity. Mind the Heat Index Employers and workers should always be aware of the heat index. OSHA has a Heat Safety Tool mobile app called that will help calculate the heat index and displays the risk level to workers. Heat exhaustion can cause workers to be less alert which can result in other construction-related injuries. Be sure to check back later in the week when we discuss tips for employers to protect their workers from suffering heat illness.