Why Heat-Related Injuries Are so Common in the Construction Industry
High workplace temperature and humidity are critical hazards you must keep while working on a construction site.
Heat stress is prevalent among construction workers because their workplaces are usually warmer than the average temperature. Thus, they are likely to feel exhausted, dizzy, or experience heatstroke.
Now, you may ask, what are heat-related injuries, and how could you prevent them?
What should you do if you experience these injuries at work?
Read on to understand more about heat-related injuries.
Understanding Heat Stress in Construction Sites
Heat stress happens when the body cannot release excess heat to maintain the ideal temperature. The body’s average temperature is 37°C or 98.6°F but safely functions even with an addition of up to 1°C or 1.8°F. Heat-related injuries occur when the body temperatures exceed the ideal level because of heat stress.
Now, these three primary factors can cause heat stress:
- Health condition
- Environmental factors
- Physical activities
- Clothing
Unfortunately, these factors are common in construction sites making workers prone to heat stress.
Construction workers perform under the humid and hot outdoor weather, engage with physically demanding tasks, and wear safety gear like jackets. Thus, the body cannot efficiently release excess heat to maintain the ideal temperature.
It then increases the risk for heat-related injuries like heat stroke. Common symptoms to observe are:
- Fatigue or weakness
- Dizziness
- Fainting
- Muscle cramps
- Confusion
- Movement and speech difficulty
- Seizures
Heat-related injuries may lead to severe health risks and even death. Thus, it’s vital to observe your body temperature while performing arduous tasks to prevent this health risk.
How Construction Workers Could Prevent Heat-Related Injuries
Always remember these points to avoid heat-related injuries while working on a construction site:
1. Know about heat stress and be vigilant about its symptoms to avoid it from getting worse. If you feel any heat stress symptoms, rest in a cool area and drink a lot of water.
2. Wear light-colored and loose clothing and use fans to keep your body cool.
3. Inform your employer if you have preexisting health problems affecting your heat tolerance. Your employer could assign you tasks that won’t expose you to extreme temperatures.
4. Schedule your tasks if possible to leave the heavier tasks during the cool hours of the day.
What to Do When Heat-Related Injury Occurs
1. Apply First-‘Aid
Remember to follow these common first-aid steps for a heat-related injury victim:
- Call 911 for emergency medical help
- Place the person in a cool area with sufficient ventilation
- Remove their unnecessary clothing
- Help them drink a lot of cold water if possible
- Apply a towel soaked with cold water all over their skin
Ask help from a co-worker or employer for these things if you were the victim, as heat stress could make movements difficult.
2. Seek Immediate Medical Care
It’s crucial to immediately see a physician after experiencing heat stress to prevent complications. They can also prepare the medical reports you will need while filing for workers’ compensation.
3. Consult a Workers’ Compensation Attorney
Hire a Burbank workers’ compensation attorney if you sustain heat-related injuries at the workplace. They can file
your compensation claim and help you receive coverage for medical expenses and lost wages.
Call the Best Workers’ Compensation Lawyer in Burbank for Heat-Related Injuries
Heat-related injury is a critical health risk construction workers must avoid. However, keep the points above in mind if you experience this type of workplace injury to prevent complications.
And hiring a Burbank workers’ compensation attorney helps if you need to claim benefits for heat stress.