Summer Safety Tips for Construction Workers

When it comes to working on a construction site in the summer, the two most significant risks are heat stroke and heat exhaustion. Here are a few tips for construction workers to help prevent these conditions while working on-site in the summer:

Keep Water Everywhere

The most important way to protect yourself from heat illness this summer is to keep plenty of water on the construction site. Be sure to take frequent breaks to drink water and keep from dehydrating or overheating. Unlike sodas, juices and energy drinks, water regulates the body’s temperature and helps maintain regular body functions.

Eat Healthy

High-fat, heavy and greasy foods are not a good combination with extreme temperatures, potentially leaving you feeling bloated and nauseous. When on the construction site, opt for a lighter meal that will keep you from feeling hungry without weighing you down. Try eating a sandwich and fruit instead of a big burger and fries.

Get Plenty of Sleep

To keep your body as healthy as possible, which helps better handle extreme temperatures, it is important to get plenty of sleep. During the hot months, pay extra attention to improving the quality of your sleep, as REM sleep is more difficult to reach when the weather is hot.

Take Breaks

On hotter days, work will need to be completed slower to help avoid dehydration or overheating. Take breaks and recover in the shade even if you feel like you can keep going. Doing so will prevent injury and keep your body from reaching a high temperature that it can’t cool back down from.

Dress Appropriately

Because you’re working on a construction site, you’ll be required to wear work-approved clothing designed to keep you safe. However, you’ll want to choose lightweight safety apparel in the summer. Mesh safety vests are lighter and allow air to pass through, and Hi-Vis reflective summer clothing is breathable and repels sunlight, keeping your body cooler.

By following these construction safety tips, your crew can safely and successfully complete work without becoming overheated.