It may be November as you read this, but it’s the latter part of summer as I write it, so I still have summer topics on the brain.
In this particular case, I’m thinking about heat. Not the heat that means a little sweat on the brow and the need to drink some extra water. I’m talking suffocating heat. The kind that feels downright hostile and is becoming more common during the summer months in various places.
A recent New York Times piece I read examined this through the lens of two different groups in society, describing them as the “cooled” and the “cooked.” There are those who have the luxury of being able to completely avoid the outside world on the hottest of days and spend them in air-conditioned comfort. Then there are those who don’t have that choice. The nature of their livelihood requires them to be outside, so avoiding the heat also means not working.
Unsurprisingly, this latter group includes a lot of contractors. In the drain cleaning industry, there are certainly jobs that put you inside a customer’s home or place of business. But you’re also undoubtedly performing a considerable amount of work outside, toiling in the heat. And the work doesn’t stop just because the thermometer hits 90 degrees F and beyond. That means we have to be honest and pragmatic about the heat-related risks workers face. A “tough it out” approach is not an acceptable strategy.
The numbers are sobering. Heat-related deaths in the U.S. have doubled in recent decades, and workers in construction, agriculture and other outdoor trades are among the most vulnerable. In the New York Times piece, one Texas roofer admits to fainting twice from heat, once falling off a roof and breaking his wrist. The heat we’re seeing these days isn’t only an inconvenience. It’s a real safety hazard.
The challenge for business owners is twofold. First, we have to acknowledge that the world has changed. Like I mentioned earlier, “tough it out” or “push through it” aren’t strategies. They’re gambles with workers’ health. Second, we have to put systems in place to keep employees safe, as well as train them to watch out for themselves and each other. You can’t eliminate heat, but you can control how your workers experience it. That means a mix of smart scheduling, proper equipment and clear procedures.
Here are a few best practices to consider:
- Shade and rest: Provide shaded or cooled areas for breaks. Even short cooldowns make a difference.
- Hydration: Water and electrolytes should always be accessible. Make breaks mandatory, not optional.
- Pacing and scheduling: Tackle heavy tasks in the cooler morning or evening hours. Rotate responsibilities so no one is stuck in the hottest job all day.
- Protective gear: Think lightweight and breathable when it comes to company uniforms and any necessary personal protective equipment. It’s possible these days to have gear that can accomplish it all, being lightweight but also durable and meeting high safety standards.
- Training and awareness: Teach workers the early signs of heat stress — dizziness, nausea, confusion — and encourage a culture where speaking up isn’t seen as weakness. Many times it’s a coworker who notices the symptoms first.
- Acclimatization: New employees, especially those used to indoor work, need time to adjust to the heat.
Some states, but not all, have passed laws to protect workers from extreme heat. On a federal level, OSHA for years has been working on a heat rule, but it’s still in the public comment phase. But rules and regulations aside, this comes down to leadership. Business owners who take heat safety seriously aren’t looking to just follow guidelines. They’re protecting their greatest asset: their people.
We live in a different world now when it comes to heat. The companies that recognize this reality — and act on it — will be the ones that keep their workers safe, productive and loyal.
Enjoy this month’s issue.
