Summer Safety Series: Why Heat is a Dangerous Threat - Connected World

It is the last day of June, and we are wrapping up our summer blog series for National Safety Month. We have already examined the importance of the underlying foundational culture, top construction hazards to prevent, the cost of ignoring safety, particularly in small businesses, the elements of a good toolbox talk, and the importance of near miss reporting. We can’t do a summer blog series without mentioning a big risk: summer heat.

Heat-related illnesses can develop quickly, affect even experienced workers, and become life-threatening if warning signs are ignored. As temperatures continue rising across the country, heat safety has become one of the most important issues facing the construction industry.

The danger is not limited to extremely hot days. Humidity, direct sunlight, heavy physical labor, and limited airflow can all increase heat stress significantly. Workers wearing PPE (personal protective equipment) or performing strenuous tasks may experience dangerous symptoms...

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