Preventing Heat-Related Injuries on Construction Sites
With the longer evenings and consistent working conditions, we’ve got to be aware of heat-related injuries. Increased exposure to the sun can directly affect one’s health.
With the summer sun, a boom commences in the construction trade, allowing for a greater opportunity to get work done. With the longer evenings and consistent working conditions, we’ve got to be aware of heat related injuries. Increased exposure to the sun can directly affect one’s health. Prolonged or intense exposure to hot temperatures can cause heat-related illnesses such as heat exhaustion, heat cramps, and heat stroke. As your body works to cool itself under extreme heat, blood rushes to the surface of your skin. As a result, less blood reaches your brain, muscles, and other organs. This can interfere with both your physical strength and your mental capacity, leading, in some cases, to danger. With this in mind, those working in the construction trade should take proper precautions in order to prevent heat-related injuries.
Heat-Related Maladies
Heat exhaustion occurs when the body loses large amounts of water and salt through excessive sweating, particularly through hard physical labor or exercise. This loss of essential fluids can disturb circulation and interfere with brain function. Individuals who have heart, lung, or kidney problems or are on low-sodium diets may be particularly susceptible to heat exhaustion. As in heat exhaustion, heat cramps can strike when the body loses excessive amounts of fluids and salt. This deficiency, accompanied by the loss of other essential nutrients such as potassium and magnesium, typically occurs during heavy exertion. Heat stroke, the most serious of the heat-related illnesses, occurs when the body suffers from long, intense exposure to heat and loses its ability to cool itself. In sustained, punishing heat, the part of the brain that normally regulates body temperature malfunctions. This decreases the body’s ability to sweat and, therefore, cool down.
Preventing Heat-Related Injuries
Drink plenty of water before, during, and after you are working on construction sites. This is very important when it’s hot out and when you do intense exercise. Fluids such as rehydration drinks, juices, or water help replace lost fluids, especially if you sweat a lot. If you must stand for any length of time in a hot working environment, flex your leg muscles often. This prevents blood from pooling in your lower legs, which can lead to fainting. To prevent swelling, wear support hose to stimulate circulation while standing for long periods of time.
Prioritizing Safety with G & M Services
G & M Services is proud of our employees and the dedication they have for safety in the workplace. Our employees are also rewarded for positive safety practices. We incorporate weekly and monthly discussions and meetings to ensure that all involved are aware of how to handle equipment and potential situations that could occur during a project.
G & M Services offers services in the way of concrete drilling and sawing, concrete scanning, and FireStop. To get started with G & M Services, call us today at 410-787-8828 or visit our contact page.
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