Summer is in full swing, which means that increased temperatures pose very real risks for those in construction and other outside occupations. If you or someone you love works in construction, be sure to take proper care to keep safe in case of dangerously high heat.
If you think that high heat is not a real threat, think again — the Center for Construction Research and Training recently released data showing that at least 17 construction workers lost their lives to heat-related injuries in 2015.
Protecting yourself from heat exhaustion is important any time you work outside in the hot summer months. With a little preparation, you can keep yourself safe and improve your efficiency on the job.
Be sure to drink water about every 15 minutes, rather than waiting until you feel thirsty to drink. By the time you can feel yourself getting thirsty, you are already in the early stages of dehydration. However, you should be careful with the fluids you drink while working the heat. Alcohol and caffeine can both leave you dangerously dehydrated.
Also be sure to dress for hot weather and take frequent breaks, preferably in cooled or shaded areas. While this may seem counterintuitive to remaining efficient, the work site will suffer much more if someone is injured from the heat than from frequent rests by workers.
Your rights as a worker are important to protect. If you recently suffered an injury on the job, do not hesitate to reach out to an attorney to examine your options and to ensure that your rights remain protected.
Source: Safety Health, “Summer heat can be deadly for construction workers, CPWR cautions,” June 08, 2017
