Stay Safe in the Dog Days of Summer, Rich Cofoid, DCC Council Director

This month I’ve been thinking about a subject that not only affects decorative contractors but all concrete contractors and that is summertime temperatures. Living in Florida in July and August you can’t help but think about it every time you step outside, day or night. Our concrete construction business requires working outside most of the time.

As global warming continues to increase this is a situation that isn’t going away and may only get worse, no matter where you live. Every year tens of thousands of workers suffer from heat-related illnesses and unfortunately, dozens die. Worse yet, those numbers are increasing annually.

Accordingly, we must all take steps to ensure we have a plan, are prepared daily, educate our workers (both to the hazards and resources available), and monitor our working conditions and employees. Like all workplace safety, OSHA has guidelines and regulations to help employers protect their workers from heat-borne illnesses. Believe it or not, only 5 states (CA, CO, OR, MN, and WA) have state regulations in place, but many more are looking to introduce bills addressing this issue. The NIHHIS (National Integrated Heat Health Information System) has additional information that can be found at HEAT.GOV. They also promote an annual heat safety awareness week that typically occurs around May 1 as we transition from Spring to Summer.

Before I list a few safety measures, let's discuss the different levels of heat illnesses in order of severity:

• Heat Cramps: Painful muscle spasms that usually occur during heavy physical activity in hot environments. They are often an early sign that the body is having trouble with the heat.
• Heat Exhaustion: This occurs when the body loses excessive amounts of water and salt through sweating, leading to dehydration. Symptoms include heavy sweating, weakness, dizziness, nausea, headache, and fainting.
• Heat Stroke: The most severe form of heat-related illness, heat stroke occurs when the body’s temperature regulation fails, and the body temperature rises to critical levels (usually above 104°F or 40°C). Heat stroke is a medical emergency and can be fatal if not treated promptly. Symptoms include confusion, loss of consciousness, seizures, and hot, dry skin.

Here are a few safety measures you can take:

• Provide Training: Ensure that employees are trained to recognize the signs and symptoms of heat-related illnesses and know what to do if they or their coworkers show signs of distress.
• Schedule Outdoor Work Carefully: Whenever possible, schedule outdoor work during the coolest parts of the day, such as early morning or late evening. If work must be done during the hottest part of the day, ensure proper monitoring procedures are taken.  Our members in the SW US can attest to the fact that many pours are done before the sun comes up.
• Provide Adequate Water and Rest Breaks: Encourage employees to drink plenty of water throughout the day, even if they do not feel thirsty. Provide access to shaded or air-conditioned rest areas where employees can cool off during breaks.
• Monitor Weather Conditions: Stay informed about weather forecasts and be prepared to adjust work schedules or take additional precautions as needed during periods of extreme heat.
• Encourage the Use of Protective Clothing and Equipment: Provide lightweight, loose-fitting clothing and encourage employees to wear hats and sunglasses to protect against the sun’s rays. Provide personal protective equipment (PPE) that is designed to keep workers cool while providing adequate protection.

ASCC has a Safety Bulletin that addresses this topic as well. In the coming days and weeks, stay safe out there!