Safety

Don’t Let the Dog Days of Summer Get You Down

The dog days of summer are here and contractors need to train employees on the signs, symptoms and risks of heat-stress and implement a heat-stress and acclimatization program.
By Curtis Moore
August 12, 2020
Topics
Safety

While many construction employers are concerned this year with their employees’ body temperatures and COVID-19 screenings, the dog-days of summer are here and construction employers must add to their list of concerns the increasing heat and humidity—and the associated risk of heat-stress—that coincide with one of the busiest seasons in the industry.

OSHA Heat-Stress Guidance

The federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration does not have a specific heat-stress standard, but the General Duty Clause of the Occupational Safety and Health Act requires employers to provide a place of employment that is “free from recognizable hazards that are causing or likely to cause death or serious harm to employees”—including heat-related hazards. State OSHA plans in California, Washington and Minnesota have adoptespecific heat-stress standards, so employers in those states should review those standards and maintain compliance.

Federal OSHA has issued various Standard Interpretation letters regarding heat stress in the workplace. In a May 2010 Standard Interpretation Letter, OSHA provided methods of abating heat-stress hazards in workplaces, including but not limited to:

  • permitting workers to drink water or cold liquids (e.g., sports drinks) at liberty;
  • establishing a work/rest schedule so that the exposure to high temperatures is reduced; and
  • developing a heat-stress program.

According to OSHA’s guidance, effective heat-stress programs should train employees on the effects of heat-stress and how to recognize and prevent heat-related illness and symptoms. The program should set forth specific procedures to follow in heat-related emergency situations and provisions that first aid should be immediately administered to employees displaying heat-related symptoms. Employers should also have a process to acclimatize new employees and re-acclimatize employees returning from three-days absence or more.

Additional Best Practices

Aside from the advice in the OSHA Interpretation letter, employers may wish to take additional steps where feasible to lessen the risk of heat-stress and heat-related illness. Such steps might include starting the workday earlier in the morning and stopping work before peak heat and humidity levels are reached. Employers may also consider allowing a greater number of, and more frequent, rest breaks and allowing employees to sit in the shade or in air-conditioning (perhaps in their personal vehicles) to give them a break from the heat. Finally, employers should encourage (and possibly provide) light-weight and breathable or wicking-type clothing that will assist in keeping employees cool during the workday.

COVID-19 Related Considerations

With the Centers for Disease Control as well as state and local health authorities encouraging or requiring the use of cloth-type face coverings or masks where social distancing is not possible, construction employers should be aware of heat-stress considerations related to the use of masks during labor-intensive activities.

Some medical experts have warned that wearing masks during hot and humid summer months may make it difficult for air to reach a person’s lungs, causing the person’s respiratory muscles to activate, resulting in shortness of breath. This reaction can cause heat to build up more quickly within the body. Moreover, wearing a mask typically causes a person to take more frequent breaths and some experts have warned that strenuous or vigorous physical activity should be avoided.

Obviously, construction employers face significant challenges given that much of their work is physically strenuous and is conducted outside in the heat and humidity. Generally, employers should follow the OSHA-related guidance and best practices discussed above. However, employers should also consider methods to increase social distancing which may lessen the need for masks during strenuous work. Likewise, if it is permitted by local and state health authorities, employers may also suggest that employees remove their masks during secluded breaks (i.e. in their personal vehicle rather than a common breakroom). Finally, employers should have a stockpile of masks so employees can freely exchange sweat-soaked masks for clean, dry masks which may have greater breathability.

Key Take-Aways

Construction employers will need to ensure they have adequate training for employees on the signs, symptoms and risks of heat-stress and an effective heat-stress and acclimatization program. However, construction employers will need to account for the fact that many employees will be wearing face coverings to combat COVID-19 this summer and fall.

Employers will want to ensure they perform the proper hazard assessment and take appropriate steps to reduce employee exposure. Employers will also want a clear and effective plan to deal with emergency heat-related situations.

Employers who have questions regarding best practices or methods to reduce heat-related exposure, including additional challenges amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, can consult OSHA and NIOSH materials, or consult with a trusted and reputable safety professional or workplace safety attorney.

by Curtis Moore

Curtis Moore practices in the Charlotte office of national labor and employment law firm Fisher Phillips. He devotes a substantial part of his practice to construction matters and represents construction industry employers before the Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission, federal and state courts, and other administrative agencies across the country.

Related stories

Safety
Mitigating Struck-By Incidents on the Jobsite
By Rob Dahl
Some workplace injuries are more serious than others, but that doesn't mean mitigating them has to be more complicated.
Safety
Cultivating a Company Culture Committed to Safety, Mentorship and Education
By David Frazier
Mentorships, education and employee training programs still work wonders when cultivating a culture of wellbeing at your construction company.
Safety
Where's the Fire?
By John Heinen
Fire safety on construction sites is at a crossroads. It’s time for an approach based on collaboration, education and training—and powered by wireless digital solutions.

Follow us




Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Stay in the know with the latest industry news, technology and our weekly features. Get early access to any CE events and webinars.