Protecting Construction Workers Against Extreme Temperatures

Protecting Construction Workers Against Extreme Temperatures

In the last decade, at least 384 workers have died from environmental heat exposure in the US. The three-year average of worker heat deaths has doubled since the early 1990s. What’s more, it is widely acknowledged that this statistic is an underrepresentation, as it excludes deaths from conditions such as heart attacks, which can be brought on or aggravated by unsafe heat conditions. To make matters worse, since 2019 there have been 230 record-shattering temperatures across the globe. In the US alone, 67 all-time-high temperature records have been broken. As temperatures continue to rise, the number of heat-related deaths, injuries and illnesses is expected to follow suit.

The global construction industry is particularly vulnerable to these extreme weather conditions. Construction workers must engage in strenuous physical labour outdoors during some of the hottest months of the year. Increased daylight hours often translate to longer shifts. Furthermore, rising temperatures can cause a reduction in productivity, as employees must work slower and take more or extended breaks to cope with the high-heat environments. These harsh conditions can lead to heat-related injury or illness, resulting in extended periods away from the job site. To keep workers healthy, firms should administer protective gear that is suitable to the environment they are working in.

A hard hat is a common item that construction site managers use to protect their workers, and some are better suited to combatting high temperatures than others. Specifically, lightly coloured hard hats retain less heat than darker ones, making them a better option for outdoor work. Additionally, some providers have developed their own iterations with cooling technology. Public safety vendor MSA produces the V-Gard C1 hard hat, which features patent-pending ReflectIR Thermal Barrier technology. This keeps the hard hat interior up to 20 degrees Fahrenheit cooler in sunny conditions compared to those without the ReflectIR technology. In addition, sweat-wicking helmet liners and brow pads can be attached to the inside of the hat to help prevent the build-up of added moisture and humidity. Other protective gear includes cooling vests, such as the Isotherm offering from PPE manufacturer Bullard. This uses phase-change material technology to maintain a set temperature of 55 degrees Fahrenheit for an extended period.

Some firms are opting for wearable cooling technology. In April 2021, Sony released the Reon Pocket 2: a wearable cooling or warming device worn inside clothing that uses electrical conductors to transfer heat. Its success led to Sony releasing a new model in 2023, which allows users to control its temperature from a smartphone via Bluetooth connectivity.

Although protective gear can significantly reduce the impact of working in high temperatures, there are further steps that construction firms should take to ensure worker wellbeing. For example, OSHA offers a heat safety tool that provides users with access to a heat index for their specific worksite. This app sets out a risk level for outdoor workers, which teams can use to plan and prepare appropriately. Site managers can also increase the number of breaks and plan their days accordingly, so the most laborious work is performed during cooler periods. Furthermore, organizing training sessions helps to educate workers on the causes of heat-related illness and expedite emergency plans for dangerous site situations.

As the effects of climate change continue to unfold, firms must recognize the growing risk to workers. To learn more about this, please follow the link to our research.