Protecting construction workers from heat strokes

Every year, thousands of construction workers become sick from exposure to heat; some die. Heat illnesses, which range from heat rash and heat cramps to heat exhaustion and heat stroke, and death caused by heat illness are preventable. Here is how you can start protecting construction workers from heat strokes.

Construction workers exposed to hot and humid conditions are at particular risk, especially those doing heavy work and outdoor workers are often at greatest risk early in the summer, before they have built up a tolerance to hot temperatures.

To raise awareness of the dangers of working in hot weather, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has launched a nationwide Heat Illness Prevention Campaign. The campaign’s website (osha.gov/SLTC/heatillness/index.html) provides access to valuable information on heat illnesses and how to prevent them, as well as training resources to use in instructing workers about heat illness.

According to OSHA, deadly heat stroke and other heat illness can be prevented if employers educate their workers to drink water often, take breaks, and limit time in the heat. Employers should also teach employees to gradually build up to heavy work in hot conditions to allow time to build tolerance to the heat, especially workers who are new to working outdoors in the heat. During the first week of work, employers should gradually increase workloads and allow more frequent breaks.

For more on protecting  construction workers from heat strokes and other heat illness, see “How to prevent heat related illness.”