Working in hot weather can be highly dangerous to the health of your workers. Not only could they be burned by the sun, but they could also experience heat stroke which is equally damaging to their body. In warmer weather, you will need to ensure that your construction workers are safe and hydrated, but this might prove difficult for some construction sites.
When using your Volvo construction equipment, be sure that your workers have the air conditioner on to keep them cool in the heat. You should also ensure that they take a break from working when the sun is at its peak and provide plenty of bottled water for everyone to drink. Below are some ways that you can ensure heat safety for your construction workers.
Make water readily available
One of the biggest advantages of using modern-day Volvo construction equipment is that the cabs allow drivers to keep water with them. Which means that they can keep bottles of cool water with them while working on a hot day.
It is important to ensure that there is water readily available for your workers, especially when the sun is at its peak. Schedule in regular hydration breaks and provide them with still, bottled water rather than sodas, coffee, fruit juices or sparkling water. This is because water hydrates the body whereas these other drinks will only cause a sugar high can leave the body feeling even more dehydrated than before.
Heavy work should be done during the coolest parts of the day
During the summer months, there are certain times of day that are much hotter than others. These hours fall between 12:00 pm and 15:00 pm and you should avoid doing any work when the sun is at its peak. Rather, you should schedule the heavier work to be done during the coolest hours.
This could mean that your workers arrive at the site early in the morning when the sun is still low, work until 12 pm then go home and rest. They could then return to work in the late afternoon and finish working in the evening. This way your workers have skipped the peak heat of the day, and your Volvo construction equipment has cooled down and avoided overheating.
Ensure that everyone wears sunscreen
This might seem like an obvious tip, but not everyone adheres to wearing sunscreen as they should. When your workers arrive at the site, you could provide them with sunscreen before the working day begins. Look for an SPF of 30 to 50 and ensure that workers apply it regularly during the day.
Another effective measure to help avoid sunburn is to provide hats and sunglasses to the workers who can wear them. If they need their vision to be unhindered, sunglasses might not be possible. During their regular water breaks ask your staff to apply sunscreen to their faces, chest, back and arms as these areas will likely be the most exposed to the sun. Look for a fragrance-free sunscreen so there are no adverse reactions to the cream.
Know the symptoms
An effective way to ensure that your workers are safe on the construction site during hot weather is to know the symptoms of heat-related illness. These symptoms can include the following:
- Confusion or dizziness
- Fainting
- Seizures
- Excessive sweating or a cold sweat
- Red, hot and dry skin
- A high body temperature
- A fever
If you notice any of your workers exhibiting these signs, you should call the emergency services immediately. While you are waiting for the ambulance to arrive, keep your worker in a cool, shady place, provide them with water and remove heavy outer clothing and apply an ice compress to their armpits, neck and forehead.
Have a plan in place
Once you know what symptoms to look out for, you can set up an emergency plan for your workers to follow. Be sure to post signs outlining the plan where all workers can see them including the inside cab of your Volvo construction equipment.
The plan should include what to do if an employee faints, who should go with the worker if they are taken to the hospital, who their emergency contact is and who should call them and what will happen to their job in their absence. Your workers should be well prepared to handle any accidents that could happen during hot weather, so be sure to have a meeting with them to discuss the plan and gather their input.
Keep it cool
Working on a construction site during the warmer weather can be dangerous for the health of your workers. This means that you will have to keep them safe by taking precautionary measures during the spring and summer months.
Start by ensuring there is enough drinking water to hand for all workers, including those who use the construction equipment. Then you will need to ensure that everyone wears sunscreen. If you schedule heavy work to be done during the cooler hours, your workers will be more productive and can avoid the harmful rays of the sun at its hottest.
ER24 warns of heat related emergencies https://t.co/eEsPLIGRE0 #ArriveAlive @ER24EMS pic.twitter.com/mV2OdY4WWj
— Arrive Alive (@_ArriveAlive) January 5, 2016
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