Staying Cool on Your Construction Site

With the weather heating up, it’s important to understand the risks of working in high temperatures, especially if you’re on a construction site, where workers are outside all day for days, weeks, or months at a time. Construction work is hard and being out in the sun for hours is extremely taxing on the body and mind. You sweat a lot and are at risk of sunburn and you also can easily become dehydrated. There could be a health emergency on your site if you’re not careful, so here are some tips to help you and your workers stay cool on a construction site.

Stay Hydrated

The most crucial thing to do when working in the heat is to stay hydrated. Drinking plenty of water will help to prevent heatstroke, heat exhaustion, and dehydration. A sports drink can help to replenish electrolytes, but try to avoid caffeine or excess sugar, and try to avoid drinking excess alcohol after work, as this can dehydrate you into the next day. You don’t want to start your shift in the heat at a deficit.

Take Frequent Breaks

You’ll likely need to insert more breaks into a hot, sunny workday than would be necessary at cooler times of the year. Ten- to fifteen-minute breaks every two hours should help workers to cool down and hydrate and reapply sunscreen.

Provide Shade

Make sure that your workers have a shaded place to take a break or work on plans. This will help them cool down and avoid sunburn, especially if they’re having a meeting or examining blueprints since these tasks really don’t need to be done out in the open.

Wear Breathable Clothes

All workers should wear natural fabrics that are breathable and not going to be too hot. Light-colored clothing is best, as black and dark colors absorb the sun’s light and heat. Clothing should also still be protective and close-fitting without any draping fabric or cords. Helmets, gloves, and work boots should also still be worn. 

Work at Strategic Times of the Day

The hottest time of the day is generally going to be around 3 PM, with temperatures climbing around noon and beginning to fall around 5 PM. If possible, try to schedule your construction work at more opportune parts of the day where the sun is not at its zenith, like early in the morning or into the evening, provided this works for your crews’ schedules.

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