Although summer doesn't officially begin until June 20, high temperatures have already arrived early. Parts of the western United States are experiencing triple-digit (Fahrenheit) temperatures for the first time this year, as a massive heat dome blankets the region, bringing scorching heat and increasing the risk of wildfires. According to Axios, about 27 million people in California, Nevada, Utah, and Arizona are facing extreme heat.

Construction industry leaders say they are prepared for the extreme heat expected this week and throughout the summer, with plans in place that include heat safety education, shift scheduling, and measures to cool workers.

Plans, Posters, and Flexible Scheduling

Experts point out that safety measures begin with understanding the problem. Extreme heat can not only cause heatstroke but also lead to a range of accidents and injuries.

Paul Haining, Chief Environmental, Safety, and Health Officer at Skanska USA, said: "Data shows that workplace injuries surge in the summer. We assess these high risks through construction work plans and daily hazard analyses, prioritizing the mitigation or elimination of hazards." Specific measures include heat safety education, scheduled job rotations, setting up cooling stations and hydration areas, and even analyzing vacation schedules to ensure tasks are properly covered.

"We consider climate factors in the planning of every contract and every project." — Steve Spaulding, Vice President and Chief Environmental, Safety, and Health Officer at Turner, the highest-revenue contractor in the U.S.

Turner's practices include: real-time monitoring of heat risks at each jobsite, adding fans, misting machines, and shade tents, and providing water and rest breaks. At a project in San Diego, Turner also adopted a creative approach: posting urine color charts in restrooms to help workers determine if they need to hydrate. Spaulding said: "It sounds a bit funny, but the chart is posted in a visible place where workers can check it."

Experts remind that even with these protective measures, workers can still be affected by heat, making education crucial. OSHA recommends gradually acclimatizing new workers to heat, as most heat-related injuries occur during the first week on the job.

Greg Sizemore, Vice President of Workforce Development at Associated Builders and Contractors, noted: "Most of us have never truly acclimatized to heat. Contractors in the civil industry are generally adjusting work schedules to cooler evening or early morning hours, avoiding the hottest periods."

Frank Trujillo, Safety Vice President at Miller & Long Concrete Construction, based in Bethesda, Maryland, also agrees with adjusting work hours. He said: "If I could snap my fingers and change one thing, it would be that everyone who cares about construction workers would be willing to set aside some personal concerns and allow workers to work during cooler nighttime hours."

Turner's Spaulding said the cost of health and safety resources, such as misting machines and cooling stations, is hardly an issue: "The benefits far outweigh any potential costs." Sizemore, however, opposes viewing safety through a budget lens: "We have to change the narrative. This is not an expense, not a cost, but an investment in workforce development. You can't afford not to invest."

Trujillo said his team has been conducting heat safety education since March: "To get everyone up to speed and aware of these symptoms." But he also emphasized the need to avoid infringing on personal medical privacy when informing workers about potential health risks. "One of the biggest issues is understanding how personal choices can lead to heat risks." Interestingly, Trujillo mentioned that the pandemic helped raise public awareness of underlying health conditions, which in turn aids heat safety education. "It's rare for a safety expert to find a positive from the pandemic."