Construction Workers Warned To Stay Safe In Heat

Construction workers need to look after themselves over the next few days, as soaring temperatures could make it particularly dangerous to work outside. 

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has advised employers to protect those working in construction while there is a Met Office yellow heat-health alert. 

Although there is no legal maximum temperature, the HSE is asking bosses to be responsible for their workers. 

HSE’s head of operational strategy John Rowe said: “Climate change means we’re likely to get hotter summers and that could have a big impact on the workforce of this country, affecting everything from the health of workers to productivity on construction sites.”

He added that bosses need to support workers regardless of the pressure they are under to complete construction projects. 

Last year saw UK temperatures exceed 40C, which could put those working outdoors at risk. 

Therefore, the organisation has advised firms to offer flexible working patterns, for instance, allowing workers to start and finish earlier when it is cooler outside. 

It also recommended providing free access to drinking water, offering weather-appropriate PPE, and encouraging workers to remove this when resting so they can cool down. 

Bosses should also spread information about the symptoms of heat stress, so workers know what to look out for. 

According to the NHS, these include tiredness, dizziness, headaches, feeling or being sick, cramps, fast breathing or heartbeat, being very thirsty, a high temperature, feeling weak, excessively sweating, getting a heat rash, or becoming pale. 

This advice could be helpful for those working with steel cladding sheets over the next few days, as temperatures around the UK remain high.