On any given day in the United States, 4.3 million Construction Workers are exposed to heat stress. In Austin last year, 138 days were over 90 degrees, 6o percent of those were over 100 degrees.
Workers who are exposed to extreme heat or work in hot environments may be at risk of heat stress. Exposure to extreme heat can result in occupational illnesses and injuries. Heat stress can result in heat stroke, heat exhaustion, heat cramps, or heat rashes. Heat can also increase the risk of injuries in workers as it may result in sweaty palms, fogged-up safety glasses, and dizziness. OSHA has recently proposed a federal law to help protect workers with water breaks, shade stations, cooling fans and more that will go into effect in 2025.
BCS has already started implementing shade stations on its’ jobsites before the new law takes effect. Workers are trained to identify heat stress symptoms in their coworkers, and they are constantly reminded about adequate hydration. According to Todd Smith, BCS Vice President of Safety and HR, “Everyone needs to drink more water than they think they should. We have to remember to drink water at home, not just at work. The sweat from today comes from water they we drank yesterday.” BCS also offers sports drinks, ice and cooling fans under their shade stations to help workers cool off and prevent heat related injuries. If a worker starts showing any symptoms of more severe heat injuries, he stops working, recovers and is sent home for the day.
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