Many factors can affect your temperature on site, beyond direct sun exposure –here’s what to consider to avoid overheating in summer on site.
Summer’s here! And while that means beaches, barbecues and being off work for a while, it can create extra challenges for construction workers when on site.
In the New Zealand summertime, temperatures can become so high that they can cause heat-related illness or injury. Air temperature, as well as other factors (such as humidity, radiant heat, and high wind), can contribute to creating an extreme temperature environment. The Health and Safety at Work Act 2015 (HSWA) requires that all risks, including risks associated with working in extreme temperatures, must be managed so far as is reasonably practicable.
There are a number of factors that govern the environment someone is working in that will affect a person. These are both environmental and personal and, together, contribute to a worker’s overall feeling of being too hot, too cold, or just the right temperature.
Environmental factors include:
Air temperature
Although this is the easiest of all the factors to measure, in terms of how hot or cold the air around us is, it is not the only consideration. If air temperature is the only measurement taken, it is hard to predict how the temperature will affect an individual.
Humidity
This concerns the moisture content in the air. Humidity is especially influential in heat or activities requiring physical exertion. WorkSafe reports,
Radiant / reflected heat
Radiant heat is that which is emitted from the sun, or ovens, heaters, dryers etc. Heat can also be reflected from white or light coloured surfaces, which can impact people’s temperatures.
Air speed
How quickly or slowly air is moving towards a person affects the impact this has on their temperature.
There are also several personal factors that can influence temperature including:
Clothing
How people are dressed clearly impacts how hot or cold they feel. Clothing can insulate workers or actively reduce heat depending on fabric, fit, types and layers of garments they are wearing.
Physical activity
People produce more heat internally the more they exert themselves physically. The effects of vigorous exercise, heavy lifting etc are amplified when the external environment is also hot.
Other factors may include:
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gender – males generally have a higher metabolic rate (produce body heat more readily) than women
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age
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underlying health conditions
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body build and weight
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use of certain prescribed medicines
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use of substances such as alcohol or illegal drugs
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acclimatisation
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temporary health issues (for example diarrhoea, hangover, fever)
Here are a few simple SiteSafe tips to guide you towards a safer summer by working within what’s in your control on site to keep your temperature just right.
Reduce sun exposure
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Avoid long periods of work in direct midday sunshine
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Take regular breaks in the shade
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Wear UPF50+-rated lightweight long pants and long-sleeved shirts in lighter colours with adequate air flow to help keep your temperature down
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Use a hard hat with a front brim
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If the back of your neck is exposed to the sun for long periods, use a neck flap or a combination full brim with a neck flap
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Wear close-fitting, wrap-around sunglasses and ensure the AS/NZ 1337 standard is on the glasses
Wear sunscreen
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Choose a broad-spectrum, water-resistant sunscreen of at least SPF30
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Ensure the AS/NZ 2604 standard is on the label
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Apply at least 15 minutes before going outside
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Reapply at least every two hours
Keep hydrated
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Drink plenty of water regularly throughout the day to stay hydrated
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Keep a water bottle nearby and drink before you are thirsty
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Drink 150 to 200ml of water every 15 to 20 minutes, rather than consume a 1-litre drink now and again
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Most people need about eight glasses of water per day, but if you’re working in all-day heat, you will likely need more
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Drinking water is preferable to hot drinks or energy drinks
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Limit your tea and coffee intake as they are mildly diuretic (help the body get rid of liquid and salt through urine)
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Energy drinks contain large amounts of caffeine (and sugar) which can have more extreme diuretic effects and can lead to dehydration
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Electrolyte-enriched drinks and rehydration products such as Thortz, stocked at CARTERS, ensure water lost in sweat is replaced and optimal electrolyte balance is restored to reduce dehydration risk
Warning signs
Make sure you know the danger signs to look out for when working in the heat. If you do overheat, you’ll notice symptoms like:
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Feeling weak or dizzy
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Darker coloured urine
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Pounding or rapid pulse
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Loss of balance, fainting
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Headaches
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Muscle cramps
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Mood changes or confusion
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Clammy or sweaty skin
If heat stress or exhaustion is not dealt with quickly, it can progress to heat stroke. At its worst, this can be life-threatening.
Be extra careful when doing any of the following types of work, which carry a risk of suffering heat exhaustion in summer:
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Working in confined spaces
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Doing underfloor, ceiling or roof work
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In cabs of mobile plant
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Closed areas with limited air flow
It’s important to always protect yourself from the effects of heat by wearing sunscreen, drinking plenty of water, taking breaks and seeking shade, whatever the weather.
For more information see:
