Western Specialty Contractors shares heat safety tips for summer crews

Western Specialty Contractors is urging outdoor workers to guard against heat illness as summer construction risks rise. The St. Louis company is backing the warning with employee training, a safety hotline and practical steps crews can use to stay hydrated and spot danger early.

Why it matters: - Summer heat raises the risk of dehydration, heat cramps, heat exhaustion and heat stroke for outdoor construction crews. - Heat-related illnesses can become fatal on the job. - Simple prevention steps can reduce injuries for workers exposed to high temperatures and sun.

What happened: - Western Specialty Contractors is promoting a heat illness training program for employees working in high-temperature conditions. - The company also offers a safety hotline for workers. - The effort is aimed at helping employees and supervisors respond faster to heat stress during the summer construction season.

The details: - Employees and supervisors are trained on how heat affects the body. - The training covers how to recognize signs and symptoms of heat-related illness. - The program teaches workers how to respond if a co-worker starts showing symptoms. - Western Specialty Contractors provides drinking water and shaded rest areas. - Supervisors and safety managers monitor the heat index to decide when additional protective measures are needed. - Alex Jeffries, the company’s safety director, said outdoor workers should drink plenty of fluids because dehydration is the primary cause of heat cramps and exhaustion. - Jeffries recommended drinking water frequently before thirst starts. - He also recommended non-caffeinated electrolyte beverages. - Drinks should be kept cool rather than at room temperature. - Adding lemon can make water easier to drink. - Workers should wear light-colored, loose-fitting, breathable clothing made from natural materials such as cotton when possible. - Appropriate protective gear includes UV-protective safety glasses, sunscreen and brimmed hard hats. - Workers should gradually build up to physically demanding work, especially when returning to outdoor work or starting a new job. - The most strenuous tasks should be scheduled during the coolest part of the day when possible. - Workers who are not acclimated to hot conditions face a higher risk of heat-related illness. - Additional breaks are recommended during extreme heat and humidity. - Rest should happen in shaded or air-conditioned areas when available. - Workers should avoid repeatedly moving between very cool indoor spaces and extreme outdoor temperatures. - Cooling fans can help when available. - Meals should be lighter in hot weather. - Foods high in fat and preservatives can place extra demands on the body. - Fruits, vegetables and salads may be easier to tolerate in high temperatures. - Co-workers should watch for heat exhaustion symptoms, including fatigue, disorientation, stumbling, dropping tools, slurred speech or unresponsiveness. - Heat stroke is a medical emergency. - Workers should call 911 and begin immediate cooling measures if heat stroke is suspected. - Workers should monitor urine frequency and color throughout the day. - Clear or light yellow urine generally indicates adequate hydration. - Infrequent urination or dark yellow urine may signal dehydration.

Between the lines: - The message goes beyond general summer advice and points to a jobsite safety system built around prevention, monitoring and peer intervention. - The emphasis on hydration, acclimation and heat-index tracking reflects how quickly hot-weather risks can escalate on outdoor worksites. - The inclusion of a hotline suggests the company wants workers to report concerns early rather than wait for symptoms to worsen.

What's next: - Western Specialty Contractors is encouraging workers to keep using the training and safety practices throughout the summer months. - The company is urging crews to stay hydrated, take regular breaks and recognize early warning signs before a medical emergency develops. - The goal is to lower heat-related injuries for employees working outdoors.