Summer is heating up—and so are the risks on your job site. From high temperatures and blazing sun to summer recreation bleeding into work hours, prevention can go a long way in keeping workers safe and productive. In this post, we’ll explore five of the most pressing construction job-site dangers during the summer months. Let’s dive in!
Heatstroke and Heat Exhaustion
People in our home state of Arizona (and other Southwestern states) know this risk all too well. And it can be deadly: according to the CDC, heat causes 702 deaths each year, and a whopping 67,512 hospital visits.
What to look for:
- Dizziness and/or confusion
- Fainting or loss of consciousness
- Excessive sweating OR hot, dry skin
- Seizures
- Elevated body temperature
- Rapid heart rate
- Nausea and headache
How to prevent it:
- Dizziness and/or confusion
- Fainting or loss of consciousness
- Excessive sweating OR hot, dry skin
- Seizures
- Elevated body temperature
- Rapid heart rate
- Nausea and headache
Sunburn
Sunburn might not seem like a significant danger (especially among the burly construction worker set), but it can cause irreparable damage. In fact, just one sunburn every 2 years can triple your risk of Melanoma. In the short term, it can cause discomfort and inhibit worker productivity.
What to look for:
- Check for a high UV index in your area (usually available on weather sites or apps) and plan accordingly
- Watch for red/pink skin—which can occur within just 11 minutes of unprotected sun exposure
How to prevent it:
- Encourage employees to wear a broad-spectrum sunscreen with a high SPF and protective clothing that reduces UV exposure
- Encourage employees to reapply sunscreen by providing breaks to do so
- Avoid heavy work outside/in the sun during hours of peak heat (usually mid to late afternoon)
- Educate employees on skin cancer risks, how to do skin checks and what to look for
Dehydration and Electrolyte Depletion
High temperatures increase the risk of dehydration. And in dry climates, it may be hard to recognize a loss of fluids, as sweat evaporates more quickly. Severe dehydration can cause dangerous health issues, but even mild dehydration can affect job site performance and slow things down.
What to look for:
- Dizziness or feeling faint
- Fatigue and loss of energy
- Dry-mouth
- Muscle cramps
- Dark urine or infrequent need to urinate
How to prevent it:
- Offer easy access to cold water and/or electrolyte-infused beverages
- Train workers on the importance of recognizing the signs of dehydration
- Warn about the dangers of too much caffeine or sugar, which can contribute to dehydration
Increased Fatigue
Even if preventative measures are taken to avoid heat stroke, warmer temperatures often lead to increased fatigue. This not only slows down work on the job site, but can even cause dangerous accidents—as a result of impaired concentration, judgment, coordination and reaction times.
What to look for:
- Slower completion of tasks
- Fatigue and loss of energy
- Increase in job site accidents or mistakes
How to prevent it:
- Give adequate breaks in cooler, shady areas
- Have a fatigue management plan that considers flexible work hours, more frequent shift rotations and relevant employee education
- Provide healthy snacks and beverages for a natural energy boost—including fruits, nuts, protein bars, etc.; keep in mind that caffeine and sugary energy drinks can actually have the opposite effect—causing employees to experience an unwanted crash
Drug and Alcohol Use
While not directly heat-related, studies show that alcohol consumption peaks during summer. What’s more, 22.5% of people admit to having used drugs or alcohol during work hours.
What to look for:
- Slurred speech or impaired performance
- Excessive fatigue (e.g., falling asleep at work)
- Erratic behavior
- Increase in accidents or mistakes
- Frequent missed shifts
How to prevent it:
- Educate employees on the dangers of substance abuse and use while at work
- Train employees and managers to watch for signs of impaired employees and encourage them to report suspicious behavior
- Consider keeping opioid-overdose treatments like NARCAN on site
- Consider random drug testing
- Have an option for on-demand, on-site alcohol/drug testing if you suspect that an employee is impaired while on the job (On Site Medical can help!)
Don’t let job site dangers kill your summer vibe—take preventative measures to ensure safety and productivity. And if work accidents and health issues do arise, rely on On Site Medical to help—with on-demand, on-site care; dedicated job-site clinics; and off-site urgent care clinics. We’re committed to passionate, thorough care for your team—while mitigating costs and liability for your business. Enroll today!