Eastman Insight: Summer Safety Tips for Working Outside
During Construction Safety Week 2021, Eastman Cooke stresses the importance of staying cool when working outside during the summer months. Read on for valuable tips to help your team beat the heat when outside temperatures begin to rise.
When you work in construction in New York City, coping with summer heat and humidity can be a challenge. Therefore, it’s crucial to protect your crew from heat stress and illness.
Eastman Cooke Superintendent Ray Ruggiano has worked through many heat waves over the years. To keep crews safe and healthy on the hottest of days, Ray recommends the following best practices:
Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate – “ECA always provides our teams with fresh, clean water,” Ray says.
Cover your skin – “Always wear proper clothing to limit your exposure to the sun,” Ray points out.
Use sunscreen – “another noteworthy option to protect your skin and help fight the heat,” he says.
Having a bathroom on-site with cold running water is another way for workers to cool off. To escape the heat, crews can also head to the project office to take a break and catch some air conditioning. Cooling towels placed around the neck or under a hard hat can also provide relief from extreme heat.
“Prevention is critical when it comes to heat illness. Just because it is hot outside and people are running to the beach to soak up the sun, doesn’t mean you should risk exposing yourself to the elements,” Ray says. “In the event someone on your team does appear to be suffering from heat stress, seek medical help immediately.”
