According to Work Safe, 1774 construction workers claimed heat-related personal injury in 2018-19. If you’re running a building or construction business, your primary duty is to keep your employees safe and comfortable whilst at work.
Safety and comfort are essential for productivity, they also help to avoid liability claims and the costs they can incur. So, what do you need to know about construction worker safety in summer?
Keep reading as we explore the summer hazards for construction workers and how to minimise the impacts through effective health and safety procedures.
What are the biggest threats to summer construction safety?
Heat can cause many ailments, illnesses, and even fatalities in extreme cases. Here are the biggest threats to construction worker safety in summer.
Heat Stress
Heat stress denotes the symptoms that occur when the body overheats. It is caused by excessive heat exposure, and the body’s cooling mechanisms (sweating and circulation) become overwhelmed.
Your core temperature will rise if the body’s cooling mechanisms become overwhelmed. This will lead to additional symptoms such as dizziness, nausea, headache, sweating, and weakness. In extreme cases, it can evolve into heatstroke or heat exhaustion, conditions requiring immediate medical intervention.
Dehydration
Exposure to an excessive amount of heat causes sweating. If your workers are sweating incessantly without drinking enough water to replenish their bodies, they might experience the following symptoms of dehydration:
- Reduced physical and cognitive performance – Your workers may suffer difficulty maintaining balance, cognitive impairment, and weakness, reducing both their productivity and physical capabilities.
- Kidney strain – The kidneys are responsible for balancing bodily fluids. This organ could become strained if you are dehydrated, resulting in kidney stones or urinary tract infections.
- Gastrointestinal issues – Dehydration can lead to constipation and digestive problems, as stool will be dryer and more difficult to pass.
Keeping your working area cool and ensuring workers have access to adequate hydration supplies like water can prevent dehydration on your construction site.
Sunburn
Sunburn is a risk for construction workers performing manual labour for long hours outside in the sun. Providing your workers with suncream will help to protect their skin, preventing sunburn and the aging effects of the sun.
Who is most at risk during the summer months?
There are some individuals who are more vulnerable than others in hot conditions. You must implement stringent heat management measures for anyone with the following conditions:
- Heart disease
- Diabetes
- Obesity
- Respiratory disorders
- Old age
If your workers have these conditions, they will be more vulnerable to heat-related illnesses. You should provide extra precautions to protect these workers.
How to keep your construction site cool in summer
Now you know about the dangers of heat for construction operations in the summer, let’s discuss how to cool your construction site with best practice solutions.
Here are your best options for keeping your workers cool, safe, and content while they work in the heat:
- Providing shade – Exposure to direct sunlight encourages sweat evaporation, which can quickly lead to dehydration. Providing shaded working areas will reduce the potential for dehydration and provide a cooler working area.
- Providing a fridge – Cold water is an excellent way to cool off in the heat. Provide your employees with a fridge to store beverages, preventing dehydration and relieving them of the heat.
- Allow extra breaks – Excessive physical activity will place greater strain on the body and cause overheating. Allow your employees to have ample break time during the summer months.
- Use a fan – Fans like Fanquip’s Mobile Mancoolers circulate airflow to cool your workers down and aid in the body’s natural evaporative cooling processes. Our portable Mancoolers are ideal for building and construction settings as the are maneuverable with the ability to relate the fan based on your requirements.
- Change your schedule – The time of day you are working can have a significant impact on heat levels. Try to re-adjust your work schedule so your workers aren’t performing manual labour during peak sunlight hours and perhaps get an early start, with the sun rising between 5am-6am during summer.
When you take these precautions, you’ll notice an improvement in worker productivity, and you’ll be able to rest easy knowing your workers are safe and comfortable.
Choose Fanquip for the best cooling products for construction workers
Hydration, cooling and frequent breaks are the cornerstones of maintaining comfort and productivity for your construction site in summer. Provide your workers with water to drink, and invest in Mobile Mancooler Fans for cooling benefits, preventing the severe consequences of heat stress.
Do you need Mancoolers for your construction site? Speak to our team of cooling experts at Fanquip. We can advise you on the top ventilation solutions for construction during summer!
