Recognizing and Addressing Heat Stress on Jobsites

By Cotney Construction Law.

Summer in the U.S. means soaring temperatures accompanied by high humidity.

Construction workers are already prone to heat-related illnesses and injuries due to exposure to hot weather, but this risk is further heightened by a combination of physical activity in the summer heat.

To reduce risk of heat-related illness and injuries on the jobsite, employers should familiarize themselves on heat-related illnesses and injuries and best practices to keep them at bay.

Common types of heat-related illnesses

The most common type of heat-related illness on jobsites is heat exhaustion. Symptoms include weakness, fatigue, light-headedness, nausea and excessive sweat. The second most common heat-related illness is exertional heat stroke (EHS) — a serious medical emergency that can result in death if not treated properly. EHS can occur suddenly in an individual without exhibiting any previous signs or symptoms and cause serious symptoms and life-threatening issues.

Preventing heat exhaustion, EHS, & more

In order to address and prevent heat-related illnesses, employers must recognize the symptoms, assess the risk and limit exposure. During these sweltering summer months, it is critical to encourage your employees to pay attention to their bodies and to educate them on the symptoms of heat stress. Let your employees know that taking a break, rather than pushing through for the sake of productivity, could help prevent a serious medical emergency. Worker safety should always be the top priority.

After that, assess the risk associated with your outdoor jobsite and screen workers for heat intolerance prior to starting a project. This may include calculating the heat index, identifying previous heat-related illnesses in your workers’ health history, and understanding how underlying medical conditions could affect their ability to tolerate heat. Lastly, schedule jobs during the cooler parts of the day and provide ample shade for rest and recovery to prevent heat-related illnesses and injuries.

Contact Cotney Construction Law for additional information.

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Disclaimer: The information contained in this article is for general educational information only. This information does not constitute legal advice, is not intended to constitute legal advice, nor should it be relied upon as legal advice for your specific factual pattern or situation.

About Cotney Construction Law 
Cotney Construction Law, LLP is a national construction law firm that advocates for the roofing industry. The firm serves as General Counsel to Florida Roofing and Sheet Metal Association (FRSA), Tennessee Association of Roofing Contractors (TARC), Roofing Technology Think Tank (RT3), National Women in Roofing (NWIR), and a number of local roofing associations. Cotney Construction Law’s practice areas include construction law, litigation, arbitration, contract review & drafting, immigration, employment, OSHA defense, licensing defense, bid protests, lien law, bond law and alternative dispute resolution. Learn more at www.cotneycl.com.