Staying safe this summer

Whew, ready or not, here comes summer! As the summer construction season begins to ramp up in earnest, it’s important to remember a few important safety tips. These tips will help protect your team’s health and your own, as well.

With safety always at top of mind here at AGC of Washington, we invite you to review our complete list of summer safety hazards and tips to stay out of harm’s way for each. Here are a few highlights.

Caught/Struck. One of the most common causes of fatalities and injuries on the job site is becoming caught between two heavy objects or being struck by an object, such as a piece of large equipment. With so many projects underway on our roadways, the odds of a dangerous encounter are heightened. To avoid this type of accident, remember to keep power tools and machinery in good working order; wear proper protection at all times for your head, eyes, face and hands; and never walk under suspended loads.

Dehydration. The sun is notorious for draining our energy and depleting our body’s water supply. Ensure your team has plenty of cold water available in clean coolers. You should prioritize drinking plenty of water in the morning and at meals to avoid getting dehydrated later in the day.

Heat stress. Along the lines of dehydration, heat stress occurs when a person’s body temperature rises to dangerous levels, either through absorption or internal generation of heat. If you begin to feel nausea, drowsiness, tingling in your arms and legs and related symptoms, it might be time to seek medical attention.

Last but not least, remember to keep an eye on your fellow workers. It’s easy to become complacent or become so focused on our work that we lose track of warning signs from our team members. Stay safe, have a healthy and productive summer, and enjoy the season.