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(St. Louis, MO, Aug. 5, 2025) – Summer is a great time for construction work, but a brutal time for construction workers. Excessive heat and sun exposure pose significant dangers, such as sunburn, dehydration, heat cramps, heat exhaustion and heat stroke. Every year, construction workers become ill on the job and some even lose their lives due to heat exposure.

To protect its workers from the extreme summer heat, Western Specialty Contractors implements a Heat Injury and Illness Prevention Plan (HIIP) and utilizes a safety hotline for its employees to reach out for support.

As part of the program, training is provided to all employees and supervisors who work in high temperatures. Training topics include:

• How to identify the signs and symptoms of various heat-related illnesses
• How to use control measures to protect yourself and others
• What to do if a co-worker is experiencing symptoms of a heat-related illness

Key components to Western’s HIIP program are WATER/REST/SHADE and by having supervisors and safety managers monitor the heat index so that proper protective measures can be taken.

“It is important particularly during the summer months that outdoor workers take time to acclimate to excessive heat, stay properly hydrated, and avoid alcohol and caffeine that cause dehydration,” said Alex Jeffries, Safety Director at Western Specialty Contractors.

Jeffries, who has specialized training in managing the health and safety of outdoor workers, offers the following tips for preventing heat-related illnesses on a construction jobsite:

• Drink water frequently and drink enough water that you never become thirsty. Drink water or other non-caffeinated, electrolytic beverages and make sure that your drinks are always cool, not room temperature. Adding a lemon slice to water can make plain water more drinkable.
• Wear light-colored, loose-fitting, breathable clothing made from natural materials such as cotton. Avoid wearing non-breathing synthetic clothing. Wear safety glasses with UV protection, sunscreen and brimmed hard hats.
• Gradually build up to heavy work. If possible, do the hardest work during the coolest time of the day. Workers who are suddenly exposed to working in a hot environment face additional hazards to their health and safety. New workers and those returning from time away need to be extra careful in making sure they stay hydrated.
• Schedule earlier shift times and more breaks in extreme heat and humidity.  Move to the shade or a cool area such as an air-conditioned building or car when possible but try not to go in and out of air conditioning too much as it will make it harder for you to adjust to the heat. Use cooling fans whenever possible.
• Select your lunch carefully. Junk food is high in fat and preservatives and will put a high caloric load on the digestive system. Try eating a bigger breakfast, so you're not as hungry at lunch. Eat light lunches that include fruits, vegetables and salads.
• Keep an eye on your co-workers and be alert for signs of heat exhaustion. Early symptoms include lethargy, disorientation, stumbling, dropping tools, slurred speech or unresponsiveness. Heat stroke is a medical emergency requiring a 911 call and immediate cooling.
• Check your urine frequency and color throughout the day. Water intake is adequate when urine is clear or light yellow. When the desire to urinate is less than twice per day and/or you are producing a dark yellow urine, you may be dehydrated.

By training employees on the early signs of heat exhaustion, taking the proper precautions, and employing tips like the ones listed above, outdoor workers can greatly reduce the risk of heat-related dangers.

About Western Specialty Contractors

Family-owned and operated for 110 years, Western Specialty Contractors is the nation’s largest specialty contractor in masonry and concrete restoration, waterproofing and specialty roofing. Western offers a nationwide network of expertise that building owners, engineers, architects, and property managers can count on to develop cost-effective, corrective measures that can add years of useful life to a variety of structures including industrial, commercial, healthcare, historic, educational and government buildings, parking structures, and sports stadiums. Western is headquartered in St. Louis, MO with 30 branch offices nationwide and employs more than 1,200 salaried and hourly professionals who offer the best, time-tested techniques and innovative technology. For more information about Western Specialty Contractors, visit www.westernspecialtycontractors.com.