Working in the Heat

There’s really no way around hot working conditions in the construction industry. Summer is the time to get things done, especially here in Florida, where the demand for new architecture has boomed in recent years. However, even though you need to work, never forget that it won’t happen without your workers. Nobody’s body is equipped to work in extreme heat, since dehydration, heat exhaustion, and heat stroke can all cause serious or even fatal injuries. Because of this problem, make sure that all of your workers are adequately prepared to work in the heat. This guide will explain a little bit more about this issue, but we’d also be happy to tell you more at one of our eight Synergy Equipment locations, where we sell a great selection of Bobcat® construction equipment and heavy equipment. We serve all of Florida, with dealerships in Daytona Beach, Fort Myers, and other locations.

Heat Index

There are multiple factors to consider when taking precautionary measure against the heat. Humidity can potentially make mild temperatures dangerous to work in. This is because perspiring in a moist climate doesn’t cool you off like it does in dry weather. Similarly, direct sunlight is always exhausting to work in, even when the temperature’s at an ostensibly comfortable 70 or 80 degrees. Taking both these factors in mind, the United States Department of Labor has a heat index that suggests planning procedures based on temperature. When under 91°F, you don’t need to worry too much, unless it’s extremely humid or you’re working in direct sunlight. 91° to 103°F is a moderate danger zone, and you should start looking out for signs of heat stroke. Between 103° to 115°F is considered a high risk level, and employees should probably take frequent breaks from their construction equipment. Finally, avoid working in the highest mark on the heat index—above 115°F—whenever possible. At this point, your employees will probably be too hot to work anyway, unless you take extreme protective measures to guard against the heat.

Tips and Tricks

Aside from using gear, there are a few safety tips and tricks you should keep in mind when facing hot weather in the workplace. Using the index is a great place to start: try to schedule any work that isn’t essential for days that rank lower on the heat index. Also try to incorporate evening shifts and split shifts into the schedule, so your workers can get a lot done at cooler times of the day. No matter when you work, if it’s over 91°, you should probably enforce extra break times. The hot weather will take a toll on your workers if they don’t get a chance to cool down every hour or two, so try to help them out by giving them more breaks. Finally, learn to watch out for warning signs of heat-related illness. If an employee loses consciousness or starts getting confused, they might have heat stroke. This can be fatal if you don’t get them medical attention right away, so keep an eye on all your workers during hot conditions. You should also let your workers know that they need to pay attention to their bodies. If any of them stop sweating, this could indicate dehydration, deregulated body temperature, or both. Either of these could lead to heat stroke, so make sure workers know to report to you if they stop sweating or feel overheated.

Hydration is Key

Even though Bobcat® heavy construction equipment is built to keep the cab cooler, this isn’t enough to protect the driver when it gets extremely hot out. The only way to ensure your workers’ safety is to keep them hydrated. Make sure there’s plenty of cool drinking water at the job site, and encourage your workers to drink sport drinks or other flavored beverages (but not soda, tea, or coffee) if they prefer them. When the heat index gets over 91°F, every employee should consume about four cups of water. This should be taken in frequent small sips, and when it gets hotter, they might consider adding an extra cup of water to that standard.

Heat Endurance Gear

Even the best fabric doesn’t do much against extremely hot weather. The sun rays will still contact your body, warming it up quickly no matter how breathable your clothes are. This gets even worse when you consider that your workers probably have to wear long sleeves and pants at the jobsite, since this apparel will make them uncomfortably warm even at temperatures as low as 70°F.. To help them out though, make sure every worker is set up with protective equipment. If they plan on operating some Bobcat® heavy equipment, the air conditioning will help out, but some extra gear should still be required. A cooling vest is a great place to start. Have your workers use ones with liquid or gel inserts. These inserts can be refrigerated before coming to work and during lunch, then placed in the vest to combat the heat while working. Also, make sure everyone knows to wear sunscreen. Even when they’re wearing longsleeves, UV rays can penetrate thin or lightly-colored fabric, which doesn’t just cause sunburns, but also increases body temperature.

Heat isn’t something to play around with when working in the construction industry. You and your workers could be hurt badly if you don’t take precautions on the job site, so use some of the advice from this guide to learn more about hot weather safety. We also recommend seeking advice as much as possible, and one of the best ways to do that is by asking our knowledgeable staff at Synergy equipment. While you’re here, if you need any new construction equipment for your next job, we sell a complete lineup of Bobcat® heavy equipment at our dealerships in Daytona Beach, Fort Myers, Miami, Orlando, and Tampa, Florida.