Keeping Workers Cool

Keeping Workers Cool on the Jobsite

Summer heat is no joke. I was recently out at Lake Pleasant with my kids, and even though I was in the water all day, I still ended up sunburned and overheated. What struck me was how many people around me were struggling with heat exhaustion. It made me pause and think: if it’s this tough in the water, how much harder is it for workers on jobsites in the blazing heat?

That realization hit me hard. As a former superintendent, I can say I did not do enough to keep workers cool. I admit it. I am changing my ways and want to do better because this is not a side issue. It’s a matter of safety, health, and respect.

Practical Ways to Keep Workers Cool

On our current project in Buckeye with our amazing High Street partners, we are making a deliberate effort to provide everything necessary to help workers stay safe in extreme heat. Here are some of the strategies we’re implementing and that I believe every project should adopt.

Water and Ice Everywhere
Potable water is a must, but it should not stop there. Crews need easy access to ice and coolers so they can actually refresh themselves during breaks. Electrolyte drinks are also a great way to prevent dehydration and fatigue.

Strategically Placed Cooling Options
Why not set up misting stations in the spots where workers are required to stand? Entryways, delivery areas, and lunch zones are perfect places for misters. Large cooling fans in shaded lunch tents can transform a hot break into a real recovery period.

Shift the Work Schedule
Whenever possible, start work earlier in the day. Even if it means the project leadership team has to make sacrifices, it’s worth it. By beginning in the coolest hours and taking more frequent breaks during peak heat, crews can stay safe and productive.

Cooling Stations and Trailers
Small trailers with generators, air conditioning, or strong fans provide a lifesaving option for workers who are overheating. These spaces offer quick relief and should be scattered throughout the site for easy access.

Protective Gear
Cooling towels, wide-brimmed hard hats, cooling vests, lightweight clothing, and sun protection all make a big difference. Workers should feel like they have options to protect themselves, not just OSHA minimums.

Creating a Culture That Supports Safety

Providing resources is only half the battle. The culture on a jobsite must encourage people to actually use them. Too often, workers feel pressure not to take breaks or cool off because of outdated ideas about toughness. The heat does not care how strong you are, how experienced you are, or how hard you can work. At 132 degrees on a top floor in SoCal, I saw firsthand how dangerous it can get. Heat exhaustion and heatstroke can take down anyone.

That’s why it is essential to create a culture where cooling off is not viewed as weakness. Instead, it must be treated as smart, professional, and expected. Leaders need to normalize and even encourage breaks, hydration, and cooling down.

Small Details That Matter

Sometimes it’s the little things that show whether we’re serious about worker safety. Hand wash stations and bathrooms must be shaded so workers are not burning themselves or suffering from extreme heat in such private but essential moments. Warm water that scalds hands is not acceptable.

If you were to give someone a tour of your jobsite, would you feel proud of the cooling measures in place? If the answer is no, then there’s still work to do.

Key Takeaway

Heat safety is not optional. From water and shade to culture and scheduling, leaders must take deliberate steps to keep workers cool and create environments they can be proud of.