Published August 23, 2023
With 2023 being one of the hottest summers ever recorded, the risk of heat-related illness among construction workers has never been more serious.
According to the Cleveland Clinic, there are four types of heat-related illness—two mild, two severe.
Heat Rash (mild)
Caused by sweat glands being blocked or unable to process excessive sweat under the skin. It can appear anywhere, but is most common near the groin, armpits, elbow creases and neck.
Symptoms:
- Red, itchy or prickly skin.
- Small bumps or blisters.
What to do:
- Get out of the heat.
- Put cold compresses on affected areas.
- Avoid powders, creams or ointments that could block pores.
- See a healthcare provider if the symptoms continue after a few days.
Heat Cramps (mild)
Muscle cramps caused by loss of fluids and salt (electrolytes) during strenuous activity in the heat.
Symptoms:
- Muscle pain or spasms in the legs, arms or abdomen.
- Clammy skin.
- Normal body temperature.
What to do:
- Drink water and/or low-sugar sports drinks.
- Rest.
- See a healthcare provider if symptoms are severe or persist after cooling down and hydrating.
Heat Exhaustion (severe)
Results from extended periods of high body temperature and dehydration.
Symptoms:
- Excessive sweating and thirst.
- Elevated body temperature.
- Weak, fast pulse and shallow breathing.
- Muscle cramps.
- Headache.
- Pale, clammy skin.
- Nausea, vomiting and diarrhea.
- Decrease in urination.
- Dizziness, clumsy body movement, fainting.
What to do:
- Get out of the heat.
- Sip cold water slowly.
- Apply cold compresses to skin.
- Stay in front of a fan or misting device.
- Seek immediate medical attention.
Heat Stroke (severe)
Caused by severe increase in core body temperature, resulting from any combination of high heat, humidity and strenuous work.
Symptoms:
- Elevated pulse, and lack of sweat.
- Nausea, dizziness, loss of consciousness.
- Slurred speech, confusion, agitation, hallucinations.
- Muscle twitching or seizures.
- Hyperventilation.
- High fever.
- Seizures.
What to do:
- Call 911; this is a medical emergency. Heat stroke can cause organ failure and death.
- Get the victim out of the heat.
- Apply cool compresses or water to begin reducing body temperature.
- Loosen or remove clothing.
- Elevate feet.
- Don’t provide fluids unless instructed by emergency personnel.
Planning and Prevention For Contractors
How hot is too hot? It takes about two weeks of working outdoors for the body to get used to working in the heat. So strenuous work in temperatures between 70-77 degrees (F) can be unsafe to those who haven’t acclimated, according to OSHA. Once the temperature exceeds 77 degrees, all workers face elevated risk of heat-related illness, while that risk is high for unacclimated workers.
Simple steps to prevent heat stress
- Hydrate every 15 minutes, even if not thirsty. In high heat (103+ heat index) total intake should be 16-32 ounces of water or low-sugar sports drinks per hour.
- Periodically cool down in the shade or an air-conditioned space.
- Wear a wide-brimmed hat and loose, lightweight, light-colored cotton clothing.
- Avoid alcohol or caffeine.
- Wear sunscreen; sunburn suppresses the body’s natural cooling systems.
- Monitor urine output. Either too much or too little can be a sign of heat stress.
Finally, OSHA offers guidance to create a heat illness prevention plan, which it recommends for any construction site. Key components for a plan are:
- Assigning responsibility for day-to-day oversight to a properly trained individual.
- Process for new and temporary workers to acclimatize to the heat.
- Protocol for providing appropriate first aid, and when to call 911.
- Engineering controls (fans, misting devices, etc.) and work practices (regular cooldown and hydration breaks) to reduce heat stress.
- Program for routinely measuring heat stress among workers.
- Response to public heat advisories/warnings.
- Training for workers and supervisors
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