Five Tips To Stay Safe When Working Construction This Summer

Summer is the busiest time of the year for outdoor contracting projects. Homes are being built, roads are being repaired and hundreds of additional projects will be completed over these warm months. During hot and sunny days, it’s important to make sure you and your team are properly prepared and taking the appropriate precautions. 

Whether it’s building a deck, siding a house or resurfacing a road, follow these simple steps to protect your crew while working outdoors.

1. Safety equipment

Make sure that all workers are armored with the correct safety equipment. This could include hard hats, steel-toed boots or gloves. Wearing these can make for a much safer day before even breaking ground on a new job.  

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2. Sun protection

With the hot sun beating down overhead, it's important to keep up on wearing approved sunscreen and UV protective items to avoid sunburns. Sunglasses and headgear can help keep the sun out of your eyes and increase safety at the worksite.  

3. Taking breaks

As the temperature rises, it's key to take routine breaks. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) recommends providing air-conditioned or cool, shaded areas for workers to recover during breaks. This can keep your team from overexerting themselves and may help prevent heat exhaustion. 

4. Stay hydrated and energized

Keep yourself and your team hydrated during the day by having plenty of water on hand. Workers should drink about four cups of water every hour when the heat index is above 103 degrees, according to OSHA. 

It's also a good idea to eat small meals multiple times on the job to keep your body well-energized.   

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5. Proper insurance

Although no one wants to think about possible accidents occurring during a contracted project, it can be an unavoidable reality. If these incidents do occur, it's crucial that  your team is properly covered through liability and/or contractor insurance. 

Be sure your team is following these safety tips to help avoid any potentially dangerous incidents this summer. If you want to know what liability and contractor insurance you're currently covered under, contact your UFG Insurance agent today!