Page 10 - OHS, February/March 2025

C O N S T R U C T I O N S A F E T Y
Beat the Heat with a Cool Summer Construction Safety Plan
While summer has a while to arrive, now is the time to start planning for heat safety.
BY CINDY PAULEY
safety for construction? You may want to think again! Did
Do you think you’ve heard it all before when it comes to heat
you know that the three-year average of heat-related work-
er deaths has doubled since the 1990s or there may be more
heat-related events than you thought?
A 2021 EPA study found that heat-related workplace illnesses
and fatalities are under reported because heat is oft en not recog-
nized as a contributing factor Additionally, OSHA analyzed 2021
enforcement investigation information and found that construc-
tion workers experience one of the highest fatalities rates com-
pared to other industries —13 times the level of risk as their non-
construction colleagues. Remember, as temperatures rise, so does
the opportunity for serious health consequences, especially in out-
door, labor-intensive industries.
Don’t sweat – plan ahead!
Ensuring workers are safeguarded from extreme heat shouldn’t
be a cause for stress if you prepare in advance. So, before gearing
up for another productive summer, let’s delve into some essential
safety tips to help your workers beat the heat!
1. Understand heat exposures. Heat exposure can aff ect each
person diff erently depending upon factors such as job task, per-
sonal health, use of medications, and age. Early recognition of
signs and symptoms of illness, including changes in behaviors or
physical appearance, is critical for ensuring health and well-being
of workers.
Heat exposure can be amplifi ed when workers are in direct sun-
light or required to work near hot objects (ovens, asphalt, etc.), or
where air movement is limited. Prolonged exposure to high tem-
peratures can lead to heat stroke, heat exhaustion, or other health
emergencies that can aff ect a worker’s ability to operate heavy
equipment or machinery safely. Overheating may also lead to de-
hydration, which can diminish workers’ ability to think clearly or
respond promptly when needed.
2. How hot is too hot? Simply put, when a person is unable to
maintain an appropriate heat exchange between their body and the
environment, it’s too hot. Th is means workers must be able to cool
themselves suffi ciently to keep core body temperature down. Th is
can vary from person to person and region to region.
Weather services, such as the National Weather Service (NWS),
off er heat indexes that are useful alternatives to lengthy math equa-
tions. When the heat index exceeds 100 degrees Fahrenheit, ex-
perts label it as dangerous. Heat indexes should not be relied on ex-
clusively, however. A comprehensive assessment of heat exposure
must also consider a workers clothing and PPE, humidity, radiant
heat sources, and other contributing factors.
Local or national alerts are also good threat indicators. Th e
NWS may issue any one of the following when the Heat Index is
expected to exceed 105° for at least two consecutive days:
■ Outlooks — when the potential exists for an excessive heat
event in the next three to seven days.
■ Advisories — when an excessive heat event is occurring,
could happen soon, or has a likelihood of occurring and could
threaten life or property.
■ Watches — when the weather is favorable for an excessive
heat event in the next 24 to 72 hours.
■ Warnings — when a heat threat is occurring, imminent, or
likely, and immediate protective action is needed.
3. Develop monitoring procedures. Monitoring heat exposure
is more than just keeping an eye on the weather forecast. Employ-
ers should implement additional procedures to track worker safety.
Here are just a few eff ective and aff ordable options:
■ Using biomonitoring, which may include remote heat sens-
ing devices, wearable technologies like watches or smart clothing,
thermal cameras, or drones;
■ Establishing a buddy system so workers look out for one an-
other; or
■ Having employees self-monitor urine coloring (the clearer,
the better!).
4. Acclimate workers. Acclimation means allowing individu-
als to gradually adjust to working in high temperatures. Th is is
especially important for younger workers, workers with health
conditions, or temporary workers not accustomed to working in
the heat.
Most people adjust well within 4-14 days, especially when us-
ing OSHA’s “Rule of 20 Percent.” Th is rule recommends workers
perform normal work, but only for 20 percent of their normal shift
on their fi rst high-heat day, then increase their work duration by 20
percent for each day following until reaching their normal workday.
OSHA provides an example in this letter from 2021, stating,
“If the normal workday lasts 8 hours, then new workers should
work no more than 1 hour and approximately 40 minutes (20 per-
cent of 8 hours) on their fi rst day in the heat and spend the remain-
der of the workday doing work tasks without heat stress.”
5. Implement protective controls. Th e best protection from
dangerous heat includes engineering controls, work practices,
PPE, or a combination of the three.
■ Engineering controls may include air cooling like misting
fans, shielding from radiant heat off equipment or processes, or
insulating equipment used in hot processes. Employers may also
consider providing mechanical equipment to help reduce manual
work or cooling seats for rest breaks as additional control options.
■ Work practices may include adjusting work schedules as nec-
essary, delaying work during dangerous temperatures, and provid-
ing additional hydration and breaks during periods of intense heat.
■ PPE may include refl ective garments that repel radiant heat,
water-cooled clothing, or personal air-cooling systems. Clothing
should be light-colored, loose-fi tting, and breathable to allow heat
exchange with the air.
Additionally, OSHA promotes a Water-Rest-Shade concept
that includes:
■ Water — drink one cup of cool water or other cool liquids
every 15-20 minutes; avoiding caff einated beverages, which can
increase dehydration. OSHA also recommends providing access to
8 Occupational Health & Safety | FEBRUARY/MARCH 2025 www.ohsonline.com