Be aware of Heat Advisories on Construction projects

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·         Almost half of heat-related deaths occur on a worker’s very first day on the job

·         Over 70 percent of heat-related deaths occur during a worker’s first week 


THE REST OF THE STORY

In my first job after graduating with a civil engineering degree from Penn State, I was overseeing a $5 million Manufacturing Plant on 35 acres. 

During construction, we installed a 6” fire water line from the pump building throughout the project to the three main buildings, the Manufacturing building, the warehouse, and the office building.

During the construction of this fire line, I had a young man show up at my construction trailer. He was about 19 years old, 5’10”, and had a very slight build. He wore slacks and a white shirt with a black tie. He introduced himself and asked if I had any work for him. I told him I didn’t, but the fire line contractor might need a laborer to install this fire line.

I asked where he was working now. He stated he was struggling to sell automobiles at Tomball Ford, and he was looking for a career change.

Well, on Monday morning this fellow was on-site working as a laborer installing this fire line. I stopped by the area where they were working. He looked up and said enthusiastically, “Hi Mike.”

Now this was summer, and the temperature was near 100 degrees.

He was 5 feet deep in the ditch and the heat index was near 115 degrees. On the 2nd day he barely looked up and each day that I stopped by to review the work. I could tell that he was struggling.




On Friday he received his check and after work, he came into my trailer slammed his palm down on my desk, and said,

“I’m outta here.”

“Oh yeah.”

“Mike, do you know how hot it is in that ditch?”

“I can imagine, what’s your next step?”

“I’m going back to Tomball Ford and bear down to sell some autos.”

“Good luck.”

The lesson learned here is that construction work in the heat can be very dangerous and not for the faint of heart. Get used to construction slowly in these types of conditions if you pursue a career in construction.

Protection Strategies: Establishing a Culture of Acclimatization

To protect new workers from heat-related illness, employers should do the following:


·         Schedule new workers to work shorter amounts of time working in the heat, separated by breaks, in heat stress conditions (see below).


·         Give new workers more frequent rest breaks.


·         Train new workers about heat stress, symptoms of heat-related illness, and the importance of rest and water.


·         Monitor new workers closely for any symptoms of heat-related illness.


·         Use a buddy system and don’t allow new workers to work alone.


·         If new workers talk about or show any symptoms, allow them to stop working. Initiate first aid. Never leave someone alone who is experiencing symptoms!

These increased precautions should last for 1-2 weeks. After that time, new workers should be acclimatized to the heat and can safely work a normal schedule.

 

Shettig Construction Management provides Professional Construction Management services from the inception of your project through completion. www.shettig.com

mshettig@gmail.com

 

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