Construction Site Safety in Summer Canada
Summer is the busiest season for construction. But it also brings the challenges that can affect both workers and materials. The high temperatures, UV rays and ever-changing weather all create safety issues for workers and the construction site. Due to these issues, the projects will be delayed, increase costs and affect the quality of work. So, it is important to follow construction site safety in summer to ensure that the crew and project are safe and run efficiently. Let’s explore more into the topic.
The Importance of Safety Measures in Construction Work
Heat-related issues like sunburn and dehydration not only affect your efficiency but also the health of your staff. Even if the workers continue their work, these issues can create a huge impact on your productivity and team morale.
Working on summer days will lead to fatigue, which can create a safety hazard on your job site. There are high chances of workers suffering from heat exhaustion. This happens when the body temperature rises to 104°F. If untreated, this can become dangerous. The symptoms include:
- Headaches
- Nausea
- Excessive sweating
- Dizziness
- Clammy skin
If you find any of your staff facing these issues. Suggest that they take a break in a shady and cooler area and ensure they are well hydrated. If your employees are facing heat-related illness, the entire project will be off track, which can lead to delays. Ultimately, your staff’s safety is important for your company’s success. They also feel that their hard work is valued.
Construction Site Safety Tips for Summer
Dress Appropriately
Crew managers should ensure that construction workers are dressed appropriately. Make them use lightweight breathable clothes for comfort and avoid heat-related illness. Use moisture-absorbing materials like cotton, wool and polyester to avoid sweat from dripping and be comfortable and dry.
Dark colours attract heat and light from the sun. So, it’s better to use light colours as they reflect the heat. Studies show that the best colours to use in summer are white, grey, red and yellow. Head and eye protection are mandatory in the workplace. Workers use helmets and safety glasses, but they may not be effective during the summer. Hardhat sweatbands are great for staying cooler in summer. Construction staff should wear protective sunglasses apart from using clear safety glasses whenever possible.
Avoid Direct Sunlight
A simple yet effective hack to stay safe in summer is to avoid sunlight, especially between 10 am and 4 pm. This is the time when the sun’s UV rays are intense. It’s better to maintain work tents and shady canopies in the work site. These should be placed around the work site so that staff can take breaks and stay safe whenever required.
Avoiding sunlight will reduce the chances of sunburns and overheating, so that they can stay focused and maintain the project on track. Their energy and productivity will be maintained throughout the day. Also, the chances of wrinkles and skin cancer will be reduced.
Hydration
Ensure that your staff is well-hydrated. So, simply telling your workers to drink water may not be enough. You have to create a strong hydration policy to be followed by everyone on the site. Suggest that they carry at least 2 litres of water and provide extra bottles if required. Remind them to have small amounts of water regularly, apart from drinking too much at once. This helps in effective hydration.
Stay In or Stay Out
We commonly observe workers constantly moving from indoor and outdoor areas during the summer. But it’s better to stay either indoors or outdoors because there is a huge difference in the temperature. So, going from 90-degree outdoor temperature to 65-degree building can stress the body and make it feel tired and uncomfortable. Workers who work under significant temperature changes are more prone to infections and illness.
Pay Attention to Heavy Equipment Jobs
Most advanced equipment is coming up with closed cabs and air conditioners for the comfort of the operator. But the operator will feel tired if the company has open cab equipment. On top of that, there will be heat coming from the engine and other components, which increases the risk of heat exhaustion. Project managers should monitor the equipment operators and ensure they are well hydrated to prevent fatigue and equipment accidents.
Promote a Healthy Lifestyle
Employers should maintain healthy habits outside to stay safe during the summer. People who aren’t taking care of their health are more likely to suffer heat exhaustion. Project managers should suggest that their employees maintain a healthy lifestyle to handle the summer heat. Construction companies can provide nutritious snacks that help to maintain their employees’ health and hydration.
Education is also important for people to follow healthy habits. So, create awareness among your staff about the dangers of heat-related illness. Newly joined employees should complete safety training for working in extreme temperatures.
Have a Generous Break Policy
Breaks during the summer are important. But frequent breaks can slow down the project. So, project managers should design a generous break policy during the summer to ensure productivity and the health of the employees. It is recommended to have a 15-minute break for every 45 min of intense work when the temperature reaches 95°F.
Plan for Emergencies
Most of the construction happens during the summer season. But sometimes the weather can be unpredictable. So, you need to educate your employees to be ready whenever the climate is unpredictable. Conduct emergency drills and make them ready for future events. It is also important for companies to appoint a person who looks after emergencies when the weather affects the job.
Protect Materials from Heat and Humidity
High temperatures can damage construction materials when they are stored or handled improperly. Asphalt becomes soft, concrete dries up, and adhesives fail under high temperatures. Avoid these problems by storing materials in shady areas where temperature is controlled, and plan the concrete work or material handling depending on the weather. Poor material storage and handling can affect the overall project.
Conclusion
To maintain your construction site safe during summer, you need proper planning and constant attention. By following the steps mentioned above, you can improve worker safety and keep projects running smoothly.
Be prepared for this summer’s challenges with Impact Rentals. We deal with reliable construction equipment rentals with flexible renting options to keep your project safe and efficient. Contact us today for a free quote!
