If you are a construction worker, you know how important it is to stay cool while you work. The job requires dealing with unique problems on a regular basis, and making decisions that work. If you are not very careful, chances are that you will end up getting injured. In this post, we will show you how to stay cool working construction.
Construction is one of the most injury-causing occupations, and there are good reasons why construction workers find it so hard to stay cool. Every year, numerous workers endure fatal injuries due to falls, contact with equipment, and overexertion. As a construction worker, you must take the factors of health and safety very seriously.
Business owners without proper health and safety procedures are often held legally accountable. There are sued and fined on a regular basis. A business owner must create a safe working environment so that worker has to file compensation claims. Now we are going to provide a few tips that will help workers stay cool.
Beat the heat
Construction workers often have to work in hazardous conditions. It is a day-to-day concern. Heat-related illnesses such as heat stroke and heat exhaustion are very common among construction workers. That is why it is very important to take precautionary measures. Safety tactics and fire safety management strategies should be taken very seriously.
Here are some warning signs of heat-related illnesses:
- Dizziness
- Nausea and vomiting
- Fatigue
- Headache
- Rapid heart rate
- Dry skin
- Excessive thirst
- Profuse sweating
Supervisors are not only encouraged but also required to take health safety measures seriously. Workers should also be able to recognize the warning signs. There are many companies that provide training to their workers.
Stay hydrated
Even if it is not a hot summer day, you should stay hydrated so that you can avoid health complications. If you are wondering how to stay cool working construction, drink plenty of water. Drinking water is one of the easiest ways to stay hydrated.
Dehydration leads to a host of health issues, and you can consider electrolyte drinks to avoid dehydration. Making a change in your diet is also a viable option to stay hydrated. In summer, many fruits are available that can keep you hydrated and energetic.
Take breaks
If it is a sunny day, do not work for hours at a stretch. It can be dangerous to work for a prolonged period in the sun. Take breaks and spend some time in a shaded and cool place. It will help you avoid exhaustion and overheating.
Some business owners ask their workers to work for long hours at a stretch. This is not a good approach because ironically it hampers productivity in the long run. It is important to create a balance between work and rest.
As soon as you notice the symptoms of heat stress, do not hesitate to take small breaks. Getting in the shade is as important as staying hydrated.
Eat smart
When you are on the site, avoid heavy lunch and junk food. They take longer to digest and you feel lethargic. It is of utmost importance to eat smart, especially when the temperatures are high. A light will help you stay alert. If you want to consume a lighter lunch, eating a bigger breakfast.
It is a good approach because temperatures are cool in the morning, when a bigger breakfast is not a matter of concern. If you are wondering how to stay cool working construction, it is not necessary to limit your food intake. You just need to be a bit strategic.
Make your work schedule convenient
In summer, the temperatures are higher and the days are longer. On a hot summer day, it is very beneficial to adjust your work schedule. Dive into action early in the morning, when the day is still cool. If you work in the morning, pay attention to physically demanding tasks first.
Getting started in the morning is good; because it keeps your energy levels up and helps you avoid heat-related illnesses. For a construction worker, it is not an option to avoid the sun altogether. But you should try your best to limit exposure to the sun. You should never underestimate what high temperatures can do to your health.
Use sunscreen
Using sunscreen is one of the best things you can do when working outdoors. Even if it is overcast and cloudy day, there are reasons to worry about UV rays. These rays can cause sunburn, which can be fatal in some situations. Choosing the right sunscreen is also useful.
Make sure that the sunscreen you choose contains titanium oxide, zinc oxide, and avobenzone. Waterproof or sweatproof sunscreen is more effective. When the sun is shining brightly, you can also wear a wide-brimmed hat.
Keep cool
You can avoid heat-related illnesses if the internal temperature of your body is stable. Your body can not lose heat if your body temperature is close to the air temperature. Sweating is good, but the sweat has to evaporate. That is why the level of humidity should be reasonable.
If you can spend some time in an air-conditioned space, your body will lose temperature within a short time. If you need to know how to stay cool working construction, you can try this. You can also wrap your elbows, wrists and neck with a cool, wet cloth. You will feel much more comfortable if you keep these pulse points cool.
Look at the heat index
If you are a construction worker, heat index is something you should always be aware of. To determine the temperature, heat index uses not only air temperature but also relative humidity. It lets you know the apparent temperature, which is the temperature that feels like outside.
If there is too much humidity, your sweat can not evaporate, leading to the body’s inability to cool down. On the other hand, too little humidity causes the sweat to evaporate quickly, leading to dehydration. Sometimes just by looking at the heat index, you will be able to figure out how to stay cool working construction.
Now there are mobile apps that can be used to calculate the heat index. Using these apps, workers can also learn the risk levels. The apps can also give you some protective measures. You can avoid many heat-related illnesses if you take the recommended precautions.
Every year, numerous workers are affected by different types of heat-related illnesses. If you are not serious about heatstroke, it may cause major damage to your body. It can also lead to injuries, because you are less alert when you have heatstroke.
You can prevent most heat-related illnesses if you just take the above precautions. If you are a construction worker, keeping your cool is one of the most important things for your career. It ensures safety and leads to more productivity.