Summer Job Site Safety Checklist

Summer is almost here, and we want to help you to be prepared. Here’s a quick list of things to consider as the weather gets hot and the days get longer.

Heat Stress

It may seem like a no-brainer, but your crews need to keep their cool in the summer sun. This is best accomplished by wearing the right protective clothing and PPE, and staying hydrated. PPE is covered below, so let’s talk about hydration.

Water is great, but it’s not always enough. When we sweat, in addition to potentially large amounts of water, we are also losing vital electrolytes. These minerals keep our muscles working and our hearts beating so replenishing them is important.

That’s where Sqwincher comes in! Not only does it taste great, it replaces lost electrolytes without the salty flavor that other brands are known for. It’s available in powdered mixes, concentrates, ready-to-drink, and the ever popular freeze pops.

Hi Vis

Your hi visibility clothing should not only help people see you on the job, it should help to protect you from the sun and heat. To that point, we are diligently updated our web site with UPF ratings for our most popular summer workwear.

Hi vis apparel is mostly made from polyester. This is because natural fibers (like cotton) do not hold color as well, and the fluorescent dye required to maintain an ANSI rating for Class 2, Class 3, or Class E will wash not wash out. Vests are often made from a breathable mesh, and shirts are made from a fabric knit into a “birdseye” pattern that actually wicks the sweat off of skin better than cotton because it doesn’t hold the moisture and turn into a sopping wet mess.

We have a world-class selection of vests, shirts, pants, head/neck shades, and rainwear for you to choose from, and our product experts are here to assist you if you are unsure of what you need. Meanwhile, we took a deep dive into the ins and outs of summer hi vis here.

Cooling Products

Just add water! Our lineup of cooling products are designed to mimic your body’s sweat mechanism and provide evaporative cooling for hours. From the Cordova Cold Snap™ Multi-Tube to the Pyramex Evaporative Beaded Cooling Bandanas, we have options that will keep you feeling and looking cool.

Hard hats/Helmets

Unless you’re working in an area where electrified, high-voltage wires are present, you can still keep your cool with a vented hard hat or helmet. We have all of the standard old-school hard hats as well as newer helmet styles (now available in type 2 for lateral impact protection). Helmets often come with built-in or attachable eye and hearing protection. You can add a hi vis neck shade that will keep the sun off your neck and back without interfering with your line-of-sight.

Safety Glasses

In addition to the classic clear and smoke/gray lenses, we have options that have different colors that are more than cool looking sunglass alternatives- they actually offer better vision for specific conditions:

• Outdoor/Sunlight - Light Gray, Bronze, dark gray, smoke
• Excessive Glare - I/O Mirror, Blue Mirror
• Indoor Use - Clear, amber, infinity blue
• Low light - Amber, pink

Gloves

The most important features of any glove are designed to keep your hands safe from whatever hazards are present on the job. That said, there are options that are more comfortable and ergonomic, which will increase compliance with your safety standards because your team will actually wear them.

Boots and Shoes

Did you ever wear a pair of work boots that were so bulky and heavy they made you feel like Frankenstein’s monster walking around? If you’re like me, you probably said, “Never again!”

We have great news- today’s work boots are designed to offer better protection in lighter, more comfortable, and stylish form. From the basic Portwest Steelite Protector work boot to their new Base line of Italian made footwear, we have options for any environment. These will not just protect your feet, they look so good you’ll want to keep them on when you stop at the bar after work for that cold beer or salty margarita.

A Serious, Final Thought

Some people might think that the tendency to “gut it out” is an admirable trait but when it comes to working in the heat, we need to listen to our bodies. Always be aware when someone is experiencing any of these symptoms of heat stress and heat stroke:

• Excessively heavy sweating
• Dizziness/lightheaded
• Headache
• Weakness, or excessive fatigue
• Muscle cramps
• Nausea, or even vomiting
• Confusion or diminished mental state
• Rapid pulse rate
• Loss of consciousness

If anyone is experiencing any of these things, move them to a cool, air-conditioned environment. Make sure they are hydrated, and remove any extra layers they may be wearing. If symptoms are serious enough, or if they lose consciousness or are at risk, seek medical attention immediately. Remember, it’s better to be wrong when you seek medical attention than to be wrong when you do not. Prevention goes a long way towards keeping your team safe, but make sure you have an emergency plan in place before starting a job.