July 30, 2012

Heat waves can pose risk to construction workers

With a heat wave hitting the prairies, an official with the Manitoba Workers Compensation Board (WCB) says employers should have a plan in place to protect people on the job.

Warren Preece of the WCB says hot weather is as much a hazard in the workplace as an unguarded saw or working on a roof without fall protection.

He says high heat can cause exhaustion, dizziness and even seizures in some instances. At one Winnipeg roofing company, Randy Van Elslander says their strategy is to start early in the day and finish by noon or 1 p.m.

Another strategy some companies are using is to do split shifts, with employees working in the morning and in the evening to avoid the hottest daytime hours.

Officials also advise that if anyone spots a co-worker appearing to suffer from heat stress to move them to a cool, shaded area, loosen or remove heavy clothing, provide cool drinking water and call 911 immediately.

News from © Canadian Press Enterprises Inc., 2012

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