Summer Safety Tips for Outdoor Work Sites
- 14 minutes ago
- 5 min read
Stay updated on our crews' recent projects and discover how they promote health and well-being when working in hot and humid conditions
As our Inspectors and Surveyors mobilize to scheduled projects and emergency excavation locations across the United States, they are facing a variety of environmental conditions at their work sites. During these summer months, challenges to crew safety arise that must be addressed to ensure project success.
ACCLIMATIZATION
Over the past two weeks, our Inspection team at Bobcat PLI has been deployed to projects across the nation, as far-ranging as New York and the Ohio River Valley to North Dakota, Texas, and New Mexico. Many of these projects were called in to our Director of Operations as immediate remediation digs, requiring Inspectors to arrive at their sites with as short as one day's notice.
Providing quick turnaround is a necessity for crews working on utility infrastructure. Newly arrived personnel may not be accustomed to a site's local weather and conditions. It is crucial that their exposure to the elements is increased gradually and that they are monitored during this time for any signs of worsening health and fitness. Statistics show that the first week, especially the first day, of work is the most hazardous for heat-related illnesses and fatalities for new employees, those who have been absent for over a week, and all crew members working during a seasonal change that leads to higher temperatures. Heat stress can occur when temperatures exceed 70 degrees Fahrenheit, depending on the level of activity performed and individual fitness.
The "Rule of 20 Percent" is an implementation strategy recommended by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) for acclimatizing workers to heat. It is designed to increase heat tolerance by gradually increasing the duration that personnel perform their assigned tasks over a period of 1 to 2 weeks.
Rule of 20 Percent:
1st Day of Work = 20% of normal work duration
20% Increase in Work Duration each subsequent day
The duration of work should be adjusted, not the intensity of the tasks being performed. Assigning tasks of lighter intensity during the acclimation period might lead to reduced development of heat tolerance. The rate at which work duration is extended may be slowed for individuals with health conditions and lower physical fitness.
ARRIVING PREPARED
Crew members must come to their work locations equipped with the appropriate clothing and Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) suited to the tasks they will undertake and the site's environmental conditions. Moisture wicking layers worn underneath PPE serve to keep skin dry and lower body temperatures. Extra sets of all clothing items should be kept in their vehicles so workers can change if their clothes get wet.
If tasks permit, PPE designed to counteract high temperatures, including reflective, insulated, vented, or cooling equipment, may be utilized. Conversely, if personnel are engaged in tasks requiring impermeable gear, head coverings, and respirators that trap heat, their schedule should be modified to account for the rise in body temperature caused by these items.
As temperatures increase, it remains essential to wear PPE properly to avoid adding the hazards of loose clothing and gear to the existing heat risks.
HYDRATION
It's important for people to drink water before they feel thirsty, as thirst is a delayed sign of dehydration.
When engaging in moderate to intense activity in warm weather, it is advised to drink 16-32 ounces of water each hour. For activities extending beyond 2 hours, it's important to consume a combination of water and electrolyte-rich drinks to replenish the sodium and potassium lost through sweating. Consuming an excessive amount of plain water can lead to dangerously low electrolyte levels, so it's recommended not to exceed 48 ounces of plain water per hour. Caffeine should also be avoided as it can exacerbate dehydration.
ONSITE MITIGATION & ADJUSTING WORK
Scheduling and work site mitigation strategies play an important role in prevented heat-related illnesses. Leaders should schedule strenuous tasks for the cooler parts of the day and rotate crew work duration and task intensity throughout. Mandatory breaks must be included in the schedule.
Breaks should be long enough for personnel to recuperate from heightened activity during warm weather. Offering air-conditioned and ventilated rest areas, along with shade and misting devices, helps workers recover more swiftly.
Additional strategies that may be implemented during active work to reduce the risk of heat stress include redirecting radiant heat from the environment, infrastructure, and equipment, as well as minimizing exposure to direct sunlight.
WORKING AS A TEAM
The team at Bobcat Pipeline Inspection understands that Observing What Matters covers every aspect of site safety, including identifying, mitigating, and reporting hazards. A crucial component of strategies to prevent heat-related illnesses on work sites is the shared responsibility of all crew members to participate in prevention and response efforts. Recognizing the importance of site and scheduling strategies and ensuring their implementation is vital to project success.
Every team member should be trained to identify the symptoms of heat stress. Individuals suffering from heat exhaustion and heat stroke often experience cognitive impairments that hinder their ability to recognize that they are in danger. Individuals should always have company, whether they are actively working or resting.
Symptoms of heat-related illnesses include:
Heat Rash:
Redness and bumpy skin texture on upper body and between skin folds
Heat Exhaustion:
Elevated temperature
Heavy sweating
Fatigue or tiredness
Thirst
Nausea or vomiting
Irritability
Dizziness
Fast heart rate
Heat Stroke:
Elevated temperature
Heavy sweating or skin that has become dry and hot
Confusion and/or slurred speech
Seizures
Fast heart rate
Unconsciousness
Rhabdomyolysis (rapid breakdown of muscle tissue)
Weakness
Muscle pain
Dark urine and/or decreased urine output
Individuals with preexisting health conditions may face an increased risk from heat.
Immediate first aid and active cooling are essential for workers showing signs of heat-related symptoms. Cooling methods involve relocating the affected individuals to air-conditioned spaces with enhanced ventilation, removing outer clothing and protective equipment, applying iced or wet towels to areas like the head, neck, armpits, and groin, and immersing them in an ice bath. If any workers exhibit symptoms of Heat Stroke, dial 911 right away and use the previously mentioned methods to cool them until assistance arrives. Workers exhibiting symptoms of Rhabdomyolysis should also be promptly taken to a medical facility for treatment.
