Construction Workers and Heat Awareness

Construction worker in a hard hat stepping down from the cab of an excavator on a hot, clear day

Why Do Equipment Operators Need Heat Awareness Cards Too?

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Equipment operators often work inside air conditioned cabs, and compared to most people on a worksite, they are not usually exposed to the same heat-related risks. However, equipment operators need heat awareness cards, too, for several reasons. While it may seem like equipment operators are immune to heat concerns on the job, there are good reasons to make sure they have the tools they need to track temperature.

In This Article

Six Reasons Why Equipment Operators Need Heat Awareness Cards Too

Heat awareness cards provide up to the moment information about ambient temperatures and, by extension, thermal risks. This information is important for everyone on your worksite, including your equipment operators. Here are six reasons why they should carry heat awareness cards as well.

Equipment operators transition in and out of the cab frequently

Equipment operators have to jump in and out of their cab often, either to reposition their equipment, perform safety and maintenance checks, consult with other onsite workers or refuel. Every time your equipment operators climb out of their cab, they are exposed to the same heat hazards that the rest of your onsite workers contend with. If they have heat awareness cards on them, they will be able to track those heat hazards as they get in and out of their cab.

Moving from a climate-controlled environment to a hot one can shock the system

HATS-20 Heat Aware Card with temperature scale and work and rest fluid intake backerWhile equipment operators may be protected by their air conditioned cab, working in a climate-controlled space also affects their ability to tolerate heat. As they move from inside their cab to the outside environment, the sudden increase in temperature can shock their system and increase the risk of dehydration or heat exhaustion. A heat awareness card lets an operator check the temperature every time they step down from the cab, instead of guessing.

This is where the card’s response time matters. According to the Heat Aware product FAQ, the card’s liquid crystal registers the temperature within a degree when it is used and viewed properly, and it reregisters every 20 seconds, which Heat Aware notes is important when moving from one area to another with a significant temperature change. That is the exact situation an operator is in every time the cab door opens.

Elevated heat stress impacts decision making and reaction time

If one of your equipment operators is compromised by heat illness, it will affect their ability to do their job safely. Heat exhaustion reduces reaction speed and decision making, which is particularly risky when in charge of heavy equipment. If one of your equipment operators is affected by heat stress, it is a danger for them and for any nearby workers.

Equipment operators have a wider view of the job site

Heat Aware's Heat Cards - HATS-20A | The signs, symptoms and treatment of heat illnessesEquipment operators typically have an expanded view of the worksite, as they are largely stationary and are situated off the ground. From this position, equipment operators can see if a worker is experiencing heat stress and respond faster than people on the ground.

With a heat awareness card, your equipment operators will know when heat risks are elevated and can begin looking out for their fellow workers. The HATS-20A version of the HATS-20 Heat Aware Card carries the signs, symptoms and treatment of heat illnesses on its backer, so the operator has the warning signs in hand while watching the crew.

Heavy equipment generates additional heat and elevates thermal risks

Heavy equipment creates additional heat that must be accounted for when assessing the risk of heat illness on the jobsite. Engines, hydraulic systems and metal surfaces are hotspots that can make it tougher on any workers nearby. With a heat awareness card, equipment operators can read the temperature near the machine and see whether that additional thermal energy has pushed conditions into a higher risk range. Remember that the card reads air temperature, not humidity, so pair it with a heat index chart when the air is humid.

Cab cooling systems can fail and spike heat risks

Even if your equipment operators spend much of their time in a climate-controlled cab, cooling systems can always fail. Clogged filters and poor ventilation are two reasons why climate control may be taken temporarily offline. No matter the reason, a heat awareness card in the cab tells the operator that conditions have changed, so they can take a break in a cool area, drink water and report the problem before heat stress builds.

How Do Heat Awareness Cards Provide Better Safety on Jobsites?

Heat Aware Cards are TWIC-sized, so they fit with the other cards a worker already carries, and the HATSC-30 custom card can be printed with your company’s logo and safety information. They are made with integrated liquid crystal thermometers (LCTs) that provide a rapid, accurate temperature reading. The cards are made of laminated PVC and are waterproof, according to Heat Aware, and because they are light and compact, they can be kept in a breast pocket, worn on a lanyard or kept in the cab where the operator can see them. Compared to other temperature tracking tools, heat awareness cards are inexpensive, simple to use and easy to hand out to an entire crew.

A card works best as part of a plan. Tie the temperature an operator reads to a specific response, such as more frequent breaks or a stop to cool down, and write those responses into your heat illness prevention program so everyone on the site follows the same rules.

Keep Equipment Operators and Their Coworkers Heat Aware

It may seem like the last person onsite who needs heat awareness is an equipment operator, but there are several reasons why that is not the case. Cooling systems can fail, operators have to exit their cab frequently and sudden exposure to intense heat can cause heat risks to spike, even without prolonged exposure.

The best defense against heat illness is information. Heat awareness cards provide this information in a simple, inexpensive format that helps your equipment operators know what to expect regarding heat risks. For more on how the cards are used across a crew, read Can a Heat Safety Card Save a Life?

Browse the HATS-20 Heat Aware Card, the HATS40 card with label and the HATSC-30 custom card, or see everything in the Heat Aware shop. For pricing, availability, volume and custom or branded orders, email Bryan Slaven at bryan@heataware.com.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do equipment operators in air conditioned cabs need heat stress training?

Yes. Operators climb out of the cab to refuel, run safety and maintenance checks and talk with the crew, and each time they step into the same heat as everyone else on the site. The sudden change from a cooled cab to outdoor heat is a risk of its own, so operators belong in the same heat awareness training and procedures as the rest of the crew.

Does a Heat Aware Card read body temperature?

No. According to Heat Aware, the card registers ambient temperature, the temperature of the surrounding area, not the body temperature of the person carrying it.

How quickly does the card update when an operator leaves the cab?

Heat Aware states that the card’s liquid crystal registers the temperature within a degree when properly used and viewed, and that it reregisters every 20 seconds. That matters when moving between areas with a large temperature difference, such as a cooled cab and an open jobsite.

What should an operator do if the cab’s air conditioning fails?

Treat the cab as a hot work area until the cooling is fixed. The operator should take breaks in a cool area, drink water, report the failure and watch for early signs of heat illness, following your written heat illness prevention program.

Can heat awareness cards carry our company branding?

Yes. Heat Aware offers the HATSC-30 Custom TWIC-sized card, which can be printed with your corporate logo, colors and information specific to your health, safety and environment group. Contact bryan@heataware.com for custom and branded orders.

How Can Road Construction Crews Stay Out of Heat Stroke Danger?

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Heat stroke is a risk in all forms of construction, but it’s elevated for road construction workers. The job involves bursts of heavy labor, and if construction is being done during the day, there may not be shade nearby. On major highways, the nearest source of shade may be across several high speed lanes of traffic. For these workers, it may seem like there’s no escape from the sun.

During the paving process, heat is more of a concern, as asphalt is applied at temperatures of 200 degrees Fahrenheit or hotter. That’s a lot of radiant energy, exposing construction crews to elevated temperatures.

Road construction workers need protection from heat exhaustion and heat stroke. If not treated promptly, heat stroke can lead to long-term disability or death, so prevention is critical. To do that, construction sites need the right processes and the right equipment.

Keep an Eye on the Thermometer

The first step in preventing heat illness is knowing when the heat is too much. Every worksite should monitor temperature constantly, and be ready to take measures when the heat index is elevated. The more people watching the temperature, the better, as preventing heat illness should be everyone’s goal, from supervisors to the crew. It’s especially important that workers know the temperature, as they are usually the first to notice signs of heat illness in other workers.

Heat cards are an ideal way for everyone at the site to monitor the temperature. Heat cards are embedded with thermochromic liquid crystals, or LCs, and these crystals alter their orientation as the temperature rises and falls. This causes them to change color, and they are accurate within a single degree Fahrenheit. Heat cards allow for temperature monitoring on demand at a glance, and they can also be printed with company branding, reference information or emergency contacts. This can be lifesaving if a worker is found debilitated by heat stroke and cannot be easily moved.

Information is Critical

Many companies are integrating heat illness prevention into their occupational safety programs, and a major part of these programs is information. It’s essential that everyone know what the company’s processes are regarding heat illness prevention, risk reduction and what to do in the event of an emergency.

Efforts in informing an entire workforce should be multifaceted. Verbal instruction and training are important, but so are reminders. Some construction sites pass on safety policies but fail to reinforce them, which leads to lapses in safety. A simple solution to this is posting signage around the worksite that provides critical safety information.

As long as workers know how to prevent heat illness, doing so is easy. Calculating the heat index, gauging fluid intake and scheduling rest breaks are effective at preventing heat stroke. Informational signage and heat cards can help remind workers to do all three.

There’s Safety in the Shade

The chances of heat stroke elevate when workers are directly exposed to the sun, and road construction workers are exposed to the sun for long stretches of time. There’s no getting away from it in some cases, and it’s impossible for people to cool down if they can’t. What’s worse, if shade is available, it may only be available for a short time, and that shaded area recently exposed to the sun will still be radiating heat.

Construction workers can avoid this problem by setting up tents on the jobsite. Tents are simple, yet perfect solutions to the no-shade problem, as long as companies select the right tent. In this case, the right tent is one that’s built with a metal frame, and preferably a heavy duty, aluminum frame. Aluminum is light, so it’s easy to carry and maneuver, and it’s corrosion resistant, so it can handle exposure to weather and air that’s heavy with salt.

Tents can be set up quickly and moved as needed, so as work shifts to another section of the road, the tents can be broken down and moved easily. Tents can also be kept in one spot throughout the day, and that keeps it cooler. Some tents come with walls, too, and this can insulate the inside from the heat outside. Combine the tent with a powerful fan, set up a hydration station inside, and workers have a place they can retreat to for rapid cooling.

Road construction crews are constantly challenged by heat stress, whether it comes from the environment, from exertion or from heated paving materials. Construction companies, their management and their crews must be aware of these heat risks at all times, as they can lead to debilitating heat exhaustion and potentially deadly heat stroke. With the right equipment and processes, though, it’s possible to stay on top of heat-related hazards and ensure workers are protected from heat stroke.