Summer is not that far away now, and construction often ramps up as the weather gets better. However, the increased heat and strong sunlight can bring problems of their own if the health and safety plans are inadequate. Under the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015, health and safety of everyone involved in the project is of paramount importance. Here are some top tips for managing your construction project health and safety members;’ needs as temperatures begin to rise.
Watch out for sunburn
Sunburn can affect anyone working or spending long period of time outdoors in summer – or even at other times of year. Encourage your teams to apply suncream regularly to protect their skin from burning. Sunhats and sunglasses are also effective when not wearing helmets and other PPE. Choose a sun cream with a higher SPF for added protection. You can get sprays and creams for easy application. If sunburn becomes serious, the person may need urgent medical attention. It can also be very painful in the following days, which can impede progress on a construction site.
Check for signs of heat stroke
Hea stroke can be very serious if left untreated, especially after or during long exposure to the summer sun. Spotting symptoms and treating them are key facets of construction health and safety in summer. Heat stoke signs can include fatigues, weakness, dizziness and cramps, as well as nausea, heat rash and headaches. Give them water to drink – not too cold, or it will shock the system. Other options for fluid include adding salt or giving an electrolyte drink. Move the person into the shade. If symptoms persist, seek medical help.
Provide plenty of shade and fluid
Make sure workers take regular shade and rehydration breaks, drinking water every 20 minutes or so, even if they don’t feel thirsty. Provide somewhere under cover for people to rest and cool down. Always have more water on hand than you think you will need on site, as well as cooling snacks such as ice lollies and fruit. Have an emergency first aid kit on hand in the shaded area too, and a plan for making sure no-one is exposed to the strong sunlight for too long. If the construction site does not have any shade, put up a gazebo or tent to provide your own.
Protect workers in very high heat
When temperatures soar very high, reduce the amount of physical work as much as possible to help prevent heat exhaustion. Check the weather forecasts when planning daily and weekly schedules. Avoid working too hard at the height of the days’ heat, around midday. Instead, see if you can plan heavier work at cooler times of the day, such as early morning, or at dusk. lone working for safety reasons, and make sure your teams look out for each other and encourage each other to take breaks to comply with the rules around construction health and safety in summer.
Other construction health and safety in summer tips
There are plenty of other ideas fort keeping construction workers safer in the summer online, including wearing lighter clothing wherever possible to reflect the sunlight away from the body to keep cooler. Avoid drinking alcohol – stick to water for the best cooling effects. Provide cooling cloths and ice packs to help people keep body temperatures under control. Don’t eat too much at lunchtime, as this can make you feel bloated and uncomfortable for the afternoon. Instead, eat little and often to fuel your body and keep going for the whole day. Pace yourself and expect to feel more tired than normal.
