5 Tips to Help Prepare for Summer in Construction
Summer is just around the corner, and for those working in construction, it can mean hot and challenging working conditions. As it is Sun Awareness Week, it’s essential to take steps to protect yourself and your team from the harmful effects of the sun in the upcoming months. Here are five tips to help you prepare your team and get ahead for summer in construction.
1. Get ahead on ordering cooling units
The hot weather can make working conditions unbearable, and that’s why it’s crucial to have ventilation and cooling systems in place. Get ahead of the game and order portable air conditioning units well in advance of the summer season. If you already have units in place, ensure that they are working correctly and serviced regularly to avoid any potential breakdowns.
THX offer both fan and cooling products that you can bring on site to help manage heat – such as:
2. STAy up up date with weather forecasts
Staying up to date on weather forecasts is crucial to avoid working in dangerous conditions. Keep an eye out for heatwave warnings, and adjust your working schedule accordingly. Remember, safety should always be the top priority. Useful websites such as the Met Office provide great tools and alerts for extreme weather warnings, including that of extreme heat.
3. Build extra time in to your construction schedules
High temperatures can cause delays, which can lead to project overruns and impact overall productivity. It’s therefore important to build in extra time into construction schedules to account for the potential delays caused by the sun and heat. Worker safety should always be a top priority, and it’s especially important during the hot summer months. To avoid sun-related illnesses and ensure that workers are safe and healthy, build extra time into the schedule to account for additional safety measures. This could include providing more frequent breaks, supplying shade structures or hydration stations, or adjusting work schedules to avoid the hottest parts of the day.
Make sure that you communicate with the construction team to ensure that everyone is aware of the potential for heat-related delays and safety concerns. By building extra time into the schedule and communicating these changes with the team, you can ensure that everyone is on the same page and working together to complete the project safely and efficiently.
4. train your team in sun related issues
Training your team to be sun aware can help prevent sunburn, skin damage and heat-related illnesses in the Summer months. Here are a few tips to for training your team:
- Educate your team about the risks of sun exposure and explain the importance of using sunscreen, staying hydrated and taking breaks in the shade.
- Provide training on proper sun protection including correct protective clothing, SPF ratings and when best to apply.
- Set up a buddy system where workers can check in with each other throughout the day to make sure they are staying safe and following proper sun protection protocols.
- Train your teams on the importance of hydration and where the nearest water coolers or hydration stations are.
The Healthy and Safety Executive (HSE) is the UK’s national regulator for workplace health and safety. Their website provides guidance and resources on a range of topics, including sun safety and PPE.
5. invest in high quality ppe
PPE is an essential element in ensuring the safety of workers on construction sites. In the summer months, when temperatures soar and the sun beats down relentlessly, it’s essential to have the correct PPE precautions to protect against the sun.
There are several different types of PPE that can be to protect against the harmful effects of the sun. Providing employee’s with long-sleeved shirts, wide-brimmed hats and sunglasses can help to shield workers from the sun’s rays, as well as supplying sufficient sunscreen with correct SPF ratings to protect against sun related burns.
Summary
In conclusion, with the summer months just around the corner, it’s crucial to take the necessary steps to prepare and protect workers from the harmful effects of the sun. By following the five tips discussed in this article and prioritising sun awareness, construction companies can help prevent heat-related illnesses, sunburn, and other sun-related hazards on their worksites. Remember to stay up to date with weather forecasts, train your team on sun protection, invest in high-quality PPE, and prepare cooling areas to ensure a safe and productive summer season.
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Please Note: The techniques and best practices outlined in this article are for general information only. Always consult your organisation’s health and safety guidelines and procedures. For specific advice related to your work environment, please refer to your health and safety representative.