Western Specialty Contractors' Safety Director Alex Jeffries emphasizes that heat-related illnesses are preventable through proper planning and awareness. The St. Louis-based company implements a Heat Injury and Illness Prevention Plan focusing on water, rest, and shade while training supervisors to monitor heat index conditions.

"It is important, particularly during the summer months, that outdoor workers take time to acclimate to excessive heat, stay properly hydrated, and avoid alcohol and caffeine that cause dehydration," Jeffries said.

The company maintains a safety hotline for workers to report concerns about heat-related risks.

Training programs cover recognizing symptoms of heat cramps, heat exhaustion, and heat stroke. Supervisors learn control measures and emergency response protocols when workers show distress signs.

Heat stroke represents a medical emergency requiring immediate 911 calls and cooling measures. Unlike heat exhaustion, heat stroke can progress rapidly and prove fatal without prompt intervention. Warning signs include high body temperature, altered mental state, and hot, dry skin.

Construction workers face elevated risks due to heavy physical exertion, protective equipment requirements, and extended sun exposure on job sites with minimal shade. The combination of air temperature, humidity, radiant heat, and metabolic heat creates dangerous conditions even when temperatures seem manageable. Fire rescue officials stress the importance of immediate emergency calls when workers show heat distress signs, as rapid cooling and medical intervention prevent serious complications.

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• Drink water frequently and drink enough water that you never become thirsty.
• Wear light-colored, loose-fitting, breathable clothing made from natural materials such as cotton. Avoid wearing non-breathing synthetic clothing. Wear safety glasses with UV protection, sunscreen and brimmed hard hats.
• Gradually build up to heavy work. If possible, do the most challenging work during the coolest time of the day. Workers suddenly exposed to a hot environment face additional health and safety hazards. New workers and those returning from time away need to be extra careful in making sure they stay hydrated.
• Schedule earlier shift times and more breaks in extreme heat and humidity.  Move to the shade or a cool area, such as an air-conditioned building or car, when possible, but try not to go in and out of air conditioning too much, as it will make it harder for you to adjust to the heat. Use cooling fans whenever possible.
• Select your lunch carefully. Junk food is high in fat and preservatives, which can put a high caloric load on the digestive system. Try eating a bigger breakfast, so you're not as hungry at lunch. Eat light lunches that include fruits, vegetables and salads.
• Keep an eye on your co-workers and be alert for signs of heat exhaustion. Early symptoms include lethargy, disorientation, stumbling, dropping tools, slurred speech or unresponsiveness. Heat stroke is a medical emergency requiring a 911 call and immediate cooling.
• Check your urine frequency and color throughout the day. Water intake is adequate when urine is clear or light yellow. When the desire to urinate is less than twice per day and/or you are producing dark yellow urine, you may be dehydrated.