Construction crews continued to work in sizzling, dangerous conditions as the hottest summer on record swept across the country—and it is anticipated to be even warmer in 2024. Even though cooler weather is expected for the remainder of 2023, political and business leaders need to help their people adapt to this new, inevitable reality. The Department of Labor recently issued a historical first: a federal Hazard Alert for Heat requested by President Biden. It’s clear that our infrastructure, legislation and workplaces need reforms that keep all workers safe in these extreme heat conditions.

As temperatures scorch the United States, employers in outdoor industries such as construction have an obligation to keep their crews safe from harm. Companies need to educate construction workers on ways to identify and address heat-induced symptoms, but it doesn’t stop there. Employers must go a step further and equip employees with the tools needed to report heat-induced illness—and all other workplace safety concerns—before they become serious dangers.

Reprinted courtesy of Tom Miller, Construction Executive, a publication of Associated Builders and Contractors. All rights reserved.