Masonry Magazine July 2002 Page. 14
Beating The HEAT II
Hot Weather
Masonry
BY TOM INGLESBY, editor
Protecting the Worker
PROVIDING EXTRA EDUCATION ON how to deal with the special problems of hot weather construction work can save injury and illness. Be sure your workers, at every level of experience, are well versed in how to protect themselves when the temperatures soar. Here are some points to consider, courtesy of the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health.
Rather than be exposed to heat for extended periods of time during the course of a job, workers should, wherever possible, be permitted to distribute the workload evenly over the day and incorporate work-rest cycles. Work-rest cycles give the body an opportunity to get rid of excess heat, slow down the production of internal body heat, and provide greater blood flow to the skin.
Workers employed outdoors are especially subject to weather changes. A hot spell or a rise in humidity can create overly stressful conditions. The following practices can help to reduce heat stress:
* Postponement of nonessential tasks,
* Permit only those workers acclimatized to heat to perform the more strenuous tasks, or
* Provide additional workers to perform the tasks-keeping in mind that all workers should have the physical capacity to perform the task and that they should be accustomed to the heat.
12 Masonry
July 2002
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