Extreme heat represents a major health and safety risk for workers on construction sites.
Every year, many cases of heat stroke, dehydration and exhaustion are reported, with serious or even fatal consequences. That's why it's essential to take the necessary precautions to protect employees during heatwaves.
In Canada, the Commission des Normes, de l'Équité, de la Santé et de la Sécurité du Travail (CNESST ) has established strict regulations concerning heat-related hazards in the workplace. These guidelines provide a clear framework for assessing risk levels in relation to temperature, humidity and the type of work performed.
To evaluate the level of risk, the CNESST takes several factors into account, including :
These factors are combined to calculate a"corrected temperature", which determines the actual severity level. For example, a temperature of 30°C with a relative humidity of 50% and heavy work could result in serious damage, requiring emergency measures. The Government of Canada provides an online calculator for calculating humidex and wind chill.
Extreme heat can have serious consequences for the health and safety of construction workers, as well as for their productivity. It is essential to understand these impacts in order to implement the appropriate preventive measures.
Prolonged exposure to heat can lead to a variety of pathologies, from the most benign to the most severe:
Workers with certain pre-existing medical conditions, such as cardiovascular or respiratory diseases, are particularly vulnerable to the effects of heat. It should also be noted that for people with mental health disorders, exposure to high temperatures can take its toll and worsen their condition.
In addition to the health risks, hot weather can also have a significant impact on worker productivity . Fatigue, dizziness and difficulty concentrating due to the heat increase the risk of errors and accidents on construction sites.
What's more, workers tend to slow down their pace of work to preserve their health, which can lead to delays and additional costs for construction projects.
The effects of heat, such as dehydration, dizziness and fatigue, can greatly increase the risk of injury and accidents on construction sites. Workers may exhibit a lack of alertness, reduced coordination or impaired judgment, leading to falls, cuts or other more serious incidents.
It is therefore essential to take the necessary steps to protect your employees from the harmful effects of hot weather. In addition to complying with current regulations, this will help maintain a safe and productive working environment, even during heatwaves.
To cope with these risks, it's essential to anticipate them by taking weather-related risks into account when estimating. This will enable you to comply with the law and protect the health of your employees, without jeopardizing the completion of your construction projects. That's why it's crucial to include the following 5 measures in your estimate:
One of the most important measures to consider is adjusting working hours during heatwaves. Starting earlier in the morning, for example, before the hottest hours of the day, or scheduling extended breaks in the middle of the day, when temperatures are at their hottest. All this requires a great deal of planning, and to help you out, you can use online timesheets with geolocation to keep track of each employee's actual working hours.
On construction sites, it's essential to provide a shady, well-ventilated place to cool down and rest during breaks. Failing that, this can be a vehicle, but for larger sites you can also consider installing fans, portable air conditioners, tents or temporary shelters.
Hydration is crucial to preventing heat-related hazards. Water fountains or coolers filled with bottled water should be available close to work areas. Remember to make your employees aware of the importance of drinking regularly, even if they don't feel thirsty, to compensate for water losses due to perspiration.
When weather conditions require it, it may be necessary to provide workers with specific personal protective equipment (PPE) to protect them from the heat. This may include lightweight, breathable clothing, wide-brimmed hats or caps to protect from the sun, and suitable gloves and goggles.
An essential part of heat hazard prevention is worker training and awareness. They need to be made aware of potential hazards, symptoms to look out for, and what to do if something goes wrong. In addition, you can train them in emergency procedures, such as first aid, and ensure that first-aid kits are accessible.
To avoid heatstroke on your worksites, you need to anticipate the dangers to which the people working for you will be exposed. This means adjusting the number of people on site, monitoring symptoms and planning the site to facilitate rest periods for your employees. All these measures help to improve the quality of life at work , and thus employee retention.
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