23rd April 2024
Civil Engineering Labour Solutions – by
At Skilled Labour Services (SLS), we take the safety of our employees and customers extremely seriously. In order for our hardworking teams to provide exceptional services and deliver high-quality projects all over the UK, it’s essential for them to stay safe in the sun.
With temperatures exceeding 25 degrees on many days over the past month, the weather has been much welcomed by many UK residents. However, it does have its downsides for those who predominantly work outside.
While most professions benefit from air-conditioned offices and easy access to desktop fans, construction workers don’t tend to be as lucky. Exposed to the heat for hours on end, construction sites often lack any kind of natural shade. Therefore, it’s vital that proper steps are taken to ensure the safety of anyone working on a construction site in hot weather.
Top Tips for Staying Safe
Many office workers envy those who get to work outside all day long, but a lot of the time, it can be tiring and somewhat draining. If you work in construction, there are a number of steps you can take to ensure you remain safe from the sun when working outside for prolonged periods of time.
Apply Sun Lotion Regularly
While it seems obvious, regularly applying sun lotion is absolutely pivotal when it comes to keeping your skin safe and burn free. It’s an obvious step to take when working outdoors but many fail to apply sun lotion regularly.
Construction workers will sweat a lot throughout the day which means that reapplication is essential. Not taking care of your skin can lead to third-degree burns, sunstroke and even cancer. It’s recommended to reapply sun lotion at least every two hours.
Stay Hydrated
Because of their cool and fizzy allure, energy drinks and soft drinks are often popular on construction sites. However, these products provide little in the way of proper hydration and can actually leave you feeling worse.
Water is best for sunny days and is the most effective liquid when it comes to proper hydration. Due to the physical nature of the work of a construction worker, it’s vital to your body’s performance and overall health to stay hydrated. Aim for at least 2 litres of water per day – you won’t regret it.
Take a Break
When working in a laborious job, it can be easy to miss breaks and carry on for an earlier finish. However, taking regular breaks from working in the sun is very important. Make sure you set time aside every couple of hours to apply sun cream, grab a bottle of water or simply sit down and have a rest.
Keeping an Eye on Each Other
At SLS, we care about each other, and as a part of a construction team, we always look out for each other. When working outdoors on a hot day, it’s so important to know the early signs of heatstroke and to keep an eye out for colleagues who might be showing signs of it.
