Working on Construction Sites in Hot Weather

Posted by Premier Guarantee on 19th July 2022 -

With spells of hot weather a regular – if intermittent – feature of a typical British summer, understanding how working on construction sites in extreme heat can impact on your staff and your project is essential.

While there is no set maximum temperature for working outdoors in the UK, the Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992 require employers to provide a “reasonable” temperature in the workplace.

Employers need to take measures to ensure that employees working in hot temperatures or exposed to the sun do not suffer from heatstroke, sunburn, dehydration or similar conditions.

In this article we consider five areas in which construction companies can do this.

1. Adapt your work schedule if you can

If the project you’re working on is flexible enough to allow it, try and work your outdoor shifts when the UV rays from the sun are at their weakest. The sun is usually at its highest point between 11am and 3pm and the rays are strongest between 1pm-3pm. Can you limit outdoor working at these times?

2. Take breaks

Physical labour in warmer weather quickly take its toll, even on those used to working in tough conditions. Ensure your staff allow enough time for rest and – especially – rehydration. Make sure fresh water is available. Just taking these simple measure can help boost morale and productivity, ensuring your team is working as efficiently as possible.

3. Take account of the working environment

Projects with large areas of glass, concrete, near water or with high wind exposure can amplify a workers’ exposure to heat and dehydration. Take these conditions into account when considering the welfare of your site team.

4. Sunscreen and cover up

It may be tempting for employees to ditch the hard hat – you need to resist! Include advice on using sunscreen in health and safety or toolbox talks and encourage workers to cover up with light-coloured long-sleeved shirts.

5. Encourage workers to watch out for others

While it may be tempting for staff to copy colleagues in doing the wrong thing, peer pressure works both ways. Set a positive example and encourage employees to look out for one another. Encourage breaks in shade and ensure your staff are taking on plenty of fluids. Heat can make people drowsy – watch out for poor manual handling as it may indicate someone needs a break.

Consequences for not taking appropriate steps

As well as the potential for serious harm to come to your site staff (either directly through the effects of heat or indirectly through accidents caused by heat), employers can be prosecuted for breaching the Health and Safety at Work Act. Don’t let it get that far. By taking relatively simple steps you can safely maintain work on your site despite the higher temperatures.