The Danger You Can’t See: Heat Exposure
How Mears is helping crews recognize heat-related illness, prevent exposure and respond quickly when the heat becomes dangerous.
In this post:
- Why Heat Exposure Matters
- How Heat-Related Illness Progresses
- How to Recognize Heat Exhaustion
- What to Do When Heat Illness Strikes
- Preventing Heat-Related Illness
- How Mears Is Responding in the Field
Why Heat Exposure Matters
Long, hot summers are nothing new. But in the field, that heat can hit harder. Long days, physical work, personal protective equipment and equipment that generates its own heat can make conditions even more challenging.
The good news is that preparation and the right habits can go a long way toward keeping crews safe.
In this line of work, heat isn’t just uncomfortable. It can be dangerous. Heat is the leading cause of death among weather-related hazards, and heat-related illness can develop quickly when conditions are right.
It is also a risk we can take steps to prevent.
Knowing what to look for, watching out for one another and making smart decisions in the field are critical. Staying ahead of the heat before it becomes a problem helps keep crews moving, projects on track and everyone heading home safe at the end of the day.
How Heat-Related Illness Progresses
It may begin with heat cramps. As exposure continues and additional symptoms develop, the body can move into heat exhaustion. This is the point where recognizing the signs and taking action becomes critical.
If the condition progresses to heat stroke, emergency medical treatment is necessary.
Conditions on a construction site can increase the risk. Heavy physical work, PPE, direct sunlight and remote work locations can all make heat exposure more difficult to manage.
That is why crews need to recognize the signs early and know what to do next.
How to Recognize Heat Exhaustion
Heat illness can cause both physical and behavioral symptoms.
Watch for:
- Heavy sweating
- Weakness or fatigue
- Dizziness or fainting
- Headache
- Nausea or vomiting
- Muscle cramps
- Cool, pale or clammy skin
- Confusion or irritability
- Slowed reaction time
- Lack of coordination
Recognizing these signs early can help prevent heat exhaustion from progressing to heat stroke.
Crew members also need to watch out for one another. Someone experiencing heat illness may not immediately recognize how serious the situation has become.
What to Do When Heat Illness Strikes
If you, a coworker or someone around you begins showing symptoms of heat illness, act quickly.
Move the person to a shaded or cooler area and remove unnecessary clothing or PPE. Begin cooling them with cold packs, wet cloths or fanning.
Provide water and, particularly after longer periods of heat exposure, electrolyte fluids.
Most importantly, stay with the person and continue monitoring their condition.
If symptoms do not improve, become worse, or include vomiting or confusion, seek medical help by calling 911.
Heat stroke is life-threatening. Quick action is essential.
Preventing Heat-Related Illness
Our Safety Mission is to eliminate life-threatening, life-altering and life-ending incidents. The Energy Wheel helps us recognize heat as an energy source so we can identify the exposure and put controls in place before someone is hurt.
Several basic practices can help reduce the risk:
Hydrate consistently. Do not wait until you feel thirsty. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration recommends drinking about 8 ounces of water every 15 to 20 minutes. For work lasting more than two hours, electrolyte-containing beverages may also be appropriate.
Plan the work around the heat. When possible, schedule high-exertion tasks during cooler parts of the day and use appropriate work/rest cycles.
Dress for the conditions. Wear lightweight, breathable clothing when job requirements allow, and use cooling equipment where appropriate.
Build up gradually. New workers and employees returning after time away may need time to acclimate to hot conditions.
Provide jobsite controls. Shade, cooling areas and other controls can give crews a place to recover from heat exposure.
Speak up early. If you notice symptoms in yourself or someone else, say something. Stop work when necessary and address the exposure before it becomes more serious.
How Mears Is Responding in the Field
Across Mears, teams are finding practical ways to help manage heat exposure.
Mears Pipeline Integrity employees Sean Whiteside and Jamie Kearns developed a Cooling and Heating Therapy system designed to support rapid cooling in the field. The system combines specially designed clothing with heating and cooling packs and an immersion station designed to help workers cool down quickly.
Other teams are adapting their approach to local conditions.
In San Antonio, crews have used designated water monitors to make sure employees are regularly supplied with water.
“Especially when it’s super-hot, some guys forget to get water, and that leads to heat illness,” said Safety Specialist Isaac Hernandez. “So, we have a certain person to do that.”
Curtis Polenz, a regional safety manager for Mears based in Westminster, Colorado, said prevention begins before the work starts by recognizing when conditions are expected to be unusually hot.
“After that, it’s how the crew is dressed,” Polenz said. “We’re encouraging a single layer, such as a breathable shirt, or high-vis FR apparel that’s sun reflective. We want the material to be breathable.”
Some teams have also used water logs to help supervisors understand whether employees are drinking enough throughout the day.
Other controls can include canopies for shade, fans when conditions make them effective and electrolyte drinks or popsicles. Where client requirements allow, adjusting work hours can also help crews avoid the hottest parts of the day.
Polenz said one of the biggest areas of focus is managing the work/rest cycle.
“What we’re really focusing on is the work/rest cycle, and shortening shifts,” Polenz said. “Instead of having two crews work 12 hours, we look at having three crews work eight hours per day.”
Regardless of the specific controls used, Polenz said the most important step is taking the hazard seriously.
“This is real, and we need to pay attention to it.”