Beat The Heat & Stay Cool

Summer is here, and with it comes a lot of heat.

In construction, no matter what time of that year, working in hot and humid environments is not just uncomfortable but can also be dangerous. Anyone can get sick as a result of heat, but those with underlying health issues such as high blood pressure, heart disease or being overweight are a higher risk.

When working in hot conditions precautions must be taken to make the environment cooler. At Douglas OHI, our workforce takes regular work/rest cycles whilst keeping hydrated.

Sometimes working in extreme heat is unavoidable, but with careful planning we can still work safely when temperatures are high. Our project HSE Teams run regular educational sessions educating employees so they can recognize the symptoms of heat-related illness, the steps they need to take to reduce that risk, as well as what to do if a colleague suffers from heat exposure. The session includes:

Factor causing heat-stress:

• Working in high temperature and humidity.
• Direct sun exposure.
• No breeze.

Symptoms of heat exhaustion include:

• Headaches, dizziness, fainting.
• Wet skin.
• Confusion or irritability.
• Upset stomach or vomiting.

Symptoms of heat stroke:

• Dry, hot skin with no sweating.
• Confusion, loss of consciousness.
• Convulsions or seizures.

At Douglas OHI, we protect our employees from the heat by following the precautions below:

• Employees are provided with cool water to drink.
• Electrolyte supplements are provided.
• A water buddy is assigned in each work are to ensure that everyone is keeping hydrated.
• Employees take regular breaks in a cool shaded area where fans or air conditioning is available.
• Heavy, labour intensive work is scheduled during the coolest part of the day.
• Wherever possible work is assigned in the shade.
• Employees are rotated whenever working in the heat cannot be avoided.
• Employees wear breathable light overalls.
• Educate, remind, educate, remind…

If a colleague has symptoms of heat stroke:

• Call the medical team immediately.
• Move to a shaded area.
• Wipe skin with cool water.
• Loosen clothing.
• Fan with cardboard or other material.

For more information, please contact hsse@douglasohi.com.