Most tradespeople spend most of the summer months working outside with the dangers of the construction industry. Whether you work as a plumber, electrician, or tower technician, you will likely be exposed to dangerous situations during the summer heat.
Summer Safety Tips for Construction Workers
Are you a construction worker having doubts about staying safe and healthy during the hot summer? Then, this article provides summer construction site safety tips for professional tradesmen who wish to stay safe during the hot summer days.
In addition, it covers information on how to prevent heat exhaustion, dehydration, burns, and skin cancers. The last section of the article covers machinery protection, which is also essential for summer construction safety tips.
Drink plenty of water
The first thing to do when you start working outdoors under the sun is to drink water. You may not realize it, but you lose about half a gallon of water per hour just by sweating alone. If you work for eight hours straight, you could quickly become dehydrated by the time you get home.
Dehydration when working outdoors is typically caused by sweating. As your body heat increases, your body loses liquid, and blood pressure increases, ultimately leading to dizziness and even fainting from poor hydration.
Drinking water keeps you hydrated and helps you stay cool in hot weather. Yet you might forget your time to drink due to the tight schedule of your job outside. In that case, it's important to set drinking water as your priority at work. You don't have to drink gallons of water, but try consuming about eight 8-ounce glasses of water daily.
Here are some drinking water tips to stay hydrated:
Drink before you feel thirsty.
Keep a bottle with you as often as you can. Or you can advise your employers to prepare hydration stations.
Drink small amounts frequently throughout the day.
Avoid caffeinated drinks like coffee or tea. They contain diuretics that cause dehydration.
Avoid alcohol as it also has diuretic properties.
Apply sunscreen
Sunscreens are often used to prevent sunburn, but numerous other advantages exist. For one, they protect you against skin cancer.
The American Cancer Society says, "Skin cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer among men and women." So when you spend more time exposed to UV radiation, apply sunscreen every day, especially during peak summer months.
The recommended sunscreen for outdoor activity is SPF 30 or higher with a good quality product. The best way to apply it is 30 minutes before going outside.
You can also use a sponge applicator to get a thicker layer of protection. Be generous with your sunscreen to cover all exposed skin areas, from behind your ears to your neck, feet, hands, and face.
You may also want to look for products that contain zinc oxide, titanium dioxide, avobenzone, octanoate, oxybenzone, salicylic acid, and PABA. These ingredients act like filters, blocking harmful rays while allowing others to pass through.
Eat regularly
Summertime appetite loss is real. The intense heat can make you crave water or other cool drinks rather than food. So it is not unusual to feel less hungry during summer days.
However, you can not afford to avoid food! Eating regularly is what makes our body function properly. It helps us maintain energy levels and keeps us healthy.
Nutrition tips for outdoor tradesmen:
Don't skip breakfast! It provides the fuel your body needs to start your day off right.
Try to avoid sugary snacks and fatty meals. Instead, a light snack such as fruit or yogurt can give you some much-needed energy without making you sleepy while doing your job.
If you crave caffeine, remember to limit yourself to two cups daily.
Dress accordingly
Choosing the proper sun protective clothing is very important. For example, if you are a tower technician, you should wear long pants and sleeves.
Also, choose clothes made from materials that block ultraviolet radiation. Avoid cotton because it absorbs moisture and does not provide adequate protection. Instead, opt for polyester or nylon to stay safe.
If you're working in a place where you may be exposed to dust, use a dust respirator. Choose one that has a tight seal around your mouth and nose.
Keep your eyes protected
Eyes are also vulnerable to UV damage. Cataracts are just one of many eye diseases caused by too much sun exposure. Wear sunglasses that offer full UVA and UVB protection. Look for lenses that filter out both UVA and UVB rays. Add a wide-brim hat for extra protection.
Check machinery and hardware
Protecting your machine and equipment from the sun is essential, so you should keep an eye on the temperatures and pressures.
Do your preparation. Temperature data can help you be aware of the equipment's condition, predict possible issues, and make plans for repair services before they break down.
After you finish, shut down and store machines correctly. Keep devices that are not being used out of the sun and in a dry, sheltered area whenever possible. Encourage your co-workers to do the same routine.
Finally, keeping tools clean is crucial to their performance. Wipe them dry with a towel after use. Make sure you don't leave tools outside overnight. The elements can cause rust on metal parts.
Take breaks as needed/instructed
Summertime outdoor jobs can be more demanding than the usual jobs you find on a job site. For example, construction workers spend six hours non-stop under the sun on construction sites. As a result, it's easy to neglect your breaks.
However, getting enough frequent breaks is vital to your body's performance and productivity. You may even need more than regular breaks.
Talk to your supervisor immediately when the sun starts to get to you or you start to feel nauseous. Tell them what you're feeling and ask for permission to rest shortly. Take any opportunity you can to cool off and re-energize.
A fifteen-minute break can do wonders for your energy levels and make your tasks a lot easier. Protect your body, protect your mental health.
Browse Trade Programs at PCI
Do you plan to pursue a career as a skilled tradesman? We have just what you need! Below, you can find any training program at PCI to help you along the way:
Our programs will help prepare students for careers as tower technicians, HVAC technicians, and more. PIC students can take advantage of world-class facilities, including 60-foot outdoor towers, for real-life scenario training. In addition, we design our equipment to meet international safety standards.
Join GWO Safety Training Program at PCI
We offer GWO safety training courses for businesses that are designed for whole groups of employees. These classes are ideal for companies that have multiple locations and want to ensure all workers are trained properly. In addition, our online learning platform makes it easy for students to complete their course requirements.
Your path to a trade career success is just one click away. So, before you go browsing job sites, visit us today to see if we have a program that will fit your needs.
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