Have you heard this old summertime line? “It’s so hot outside you could fry an egg on the sidewalk.” If you’re going to test the old wives’ tale, now would be the time. We are in the middle of the hottest part of the season for folks who earn their living outdoors, and that includes installers working hard as the sun beats down over a drainfield under construction.

Your crews are caught in a Catch-22 situation these days. Most of the year they can’t wait for the warm weather to arrive. In the fall they curse the finger-numbing cold as they race to get that last system put in before the ground freezes. In the early spring, the cold wind and rains cut through their outerwear and create a chill even a hot shower can’t erase.

But now they’re not so sure they really wanted that wish for warm weather to come true. Have you ever gotten out of the air-conditioned truck after a lunch break and felt the oppressive heat roll over you and take your breath away? Or do you rush to start the workday before the sun peeks over the horizon so you can quit at high noon to beat the heat?

Yeah, I know you have. All too often. Installers deserve props for working in some pretty tough conditions, and sticking with it to get the job done. These septic systems don’t build themselves, and your customer isn’t in the mood to wait any longer to flush the toilet.

It was with your frontline workers in mind that I recently took the time to read all the resources I could find about beating the heat at the U.S. Department of Labor website: www.osha.gov. There are pages and pages of information, and I thought I would distill the expert advice down to a few minutes’ worth of review you could share with your crew in a morning tailgate meeting.

Of course, I encourage you to dig further into this important safety topic and read the OSHA materials on working in the summer heat. But if you want to wait for the off-season to wade through it all, here are a few tips to help get you through this hot spell and keep your guys safe when the thermometer zeros in on 100 degrees F.

Appoint a team member to monitor working conditions.

Have someone on your team study heat-related issues and check temperatures throughout the day. Trained to look for symptoms of heatstroke, the designated person should check on each worker once an hour. They should make sure employees are taking in adequate amounts of water, finding shady spots for occasional breaks and match the proper attire for the conditions. They can also review a daily checklist of heat-related safety precautions with the team.

Create a work/rest policy and follow it.

Try to balance periods of hard labor in the hot sun with less strenuous work or frequent rest periods in cooler areas. This may mean sitting in a lightly air-conditioned work truck or in a shady, breezy area. Frequently assess conditions on the job site and shorten work periods as the temperature rises, humidity increases, and the sun gets stronger, and when there is no air movement, work is particularly strenuous and bulkier personal protective equipment is worn.

OSHA categorizes five levels of outdoor exertion, and installers consistently meet the two most strenuous levels: heavy (transferring heavy materials, shoveling, digging, and pushing and pulling loaded handcarts and wheelbarrows) or very heavy (heavy shoveling, climbing stairs, ramps or ladders). Taking that into account, be very liberal with your cool-down times when temperatures are highest.

As part of the policy, encourage workers to follow commonsense tips such as wearing sunscreen to protect against skin cancer and a hat to shade the face and neck, as well as choosing water over soda to keep hydrated.

Ease your crew into the hot weather.

Most of you have gradually become accustomed to the hot weather over several weeks. But you need to be careful when putting someone to work who, for instance, is a new hire, typically works in the office or drives an air-conditioned truck, or has been on sick leave or vacation for some time. Those workers should do 20% of their normal workload the first day and add 20% per day until they are going full speed. When you encounter a stifling heat wave, all workers should do 50% of their normal workload the first day and work harder on subsequent days. Slow acclimation results in physical changes that help dissipate heat better.

Know your medical emergency options.

In the event someone suffers symptoms of heat-related illnesses, move the worker into a shady area, loosen his or her clothing, wet and fan the skin, and put ice packs in the armpits and on the neck. Give the worker a drink. Be prepared to call emergency services if the person loses consciousness or is confused or uncoordinated. Make a daily note of the location of the nearest hospital or clinic so you can respond quickly if a person is in danger.

What are the signs of a potential problem and steps to take?

• Heatstroke. Symptoms include confusion, fainting, seizures, excessive sweating and very high body temperature. Call 911, keep the worker cool, and provide fluids and cold packs under the armpits.
• Heat exhaustion. Symptoms include cool, moist skin, heavy sweating, headaches, nausea, vomiting, dizziness, weakness, thirst and irritability. Have the worker sit or lie down in a cool place. Take him or her to a clinic or emergency room for medical evaluation. Do not have the employee return to work that day.
• Heat cramps. Symptoms include clusters of red bumps on skin, often appearing on the neck, upper chest and folds of skin. Try to work in a cooler, less-humid environment and keep the affected areas dry.

KEEP IT COOL

Heat-related illness is serious business. What might seem like a minor fainting episode brought on by overheating can quickly escalate into a life-threatening situation. When the work piles up and customers are demanding, you all want to power through the sweltering summer weather. But sometimes it’s best to slow down and take precautions to protect your crew during the hottest time of the year.