Prepare your site for summer – safety highlights for the hot season
Apr 8, 2025
By: Engineer Omri Nissany
Summer is here and it is important for us to emphasize preparing construction sites for the hot season. This is with the aim of reducing work site injuries and enjoying a safe summer in the construction industry.
Let's start with some numbers. According to data from the Kav LaOved organization, each year about 38,000 workers around the world lose their lives (!) due to prolonged exposure to heat stress or ultraviolet radiation, and about 2.09 million more suffer from irreversible health damage as a result.
In a recently published report (July 2024), the organization notes that the phenomenon is also noticeable in Israel, with many cases of workers collapsing due to heat stress at work reported every year. In addition, approximately 1,000 new cases of skin cancer caused by occupational exposure to dangerous radiation conditions are discovered (the numbers below will astound you).
By: Engineer Omri Nissany
Summer is here and it is important for us to emphasize preparing construction sites for the hot season. This is with the aim of reducing work site injuries and enjoying a safe summer in the construction industry.
Let's start with some numbers. According to data from the Kav LaOved organization, each year about 38,000 workers around the world lose their lives (!) due to prolonged exposure to heat stress or ultraviolet radiation, and about 2.09 million more suffer from irreversible health damage as a result.
In a recently published report (July 2024), the organization notes that the phenomenon is also noticeable in Israel, with many cases of workers collapsing due to heat stress at work reported every year. In addition, approximately 1,000 new cases of skin cancer caused by occupational exposure to dangerous radiation conditions are discovered (the numbers below will astound you).
Solar radiation and the danger to workers
When we talk about sun exposure, construction workers are on the front lines of ultraviolet (UV) radiation, which is one of the main and central causes of the development of skin diseases.
Chief among them, of course, is skin cancer in its various forms, the most central (and deadly) of which is melanoma - a common, dangerous, and malignant cancer. This is alongside other types of cancer such as squamous cell cancer and basal cell cancer, which are also caused by prolonged sun exposure.
This is a clear and tangible danger to construction workers. In April 2024, the Knesset Health Committee held a quick discussion under the title " Severe harm to the National Insurance Institute for skin cancer patients due to occupational exposure to the sun ." The participants were exposed to alarming data according to which between 8% and 10% of diagnosed cases of skin cancer in Israel are the result of occupational exposure (in Israel, about 12,000 new skin cancer patients are diagnosed every year, do the math).
Construction workers who perform a significant portion of their work under the blazing sun are in a risk group due to their direct exposure to ultraviolet rays. Therefore, it is very important to take care, for example, to:
- Controlled exposure - to clarify for employees at any given moment the connection between controlled exposure to the sun and reducing the risk of developing dangerous skin diseases.
- Awareness - Ensure awareness of early diagnosis, which dramatically improves the chances of recovery and full cure. Responsible employers will highlight to employees the early signs that can set off "red flags" such as light spots, the appearance of birthmarks and moles, etc.
- Equipment - Be sure to wear protective equipment.
- Safe hours - make sure to work during safe hours as much as possible.
- Workers at risk - pay attention to workers who are "at high risk" (see below).
Hypersensitivity (workers at risk) – Fair-skinned people need to be especially careful with sun exposure. This is reflected in the current high number of foreign workers on construction sites due to the decrease in the number of Palestinian workers following October 7. These workers, who have fair skin, especially need guidance and supervision regarding their employment conditions in the Israeli sun and the hot summer.
When we talk about sun exposure, construction workers are on the front lines of ultraviolet (UV) radiation, which is one of the main and central causes of the development of skin diseases.
Chief among them, of course, is skin cancer in its various forms, the most central (and deadly) of which is melanoma - a common, dangerous, and malignant cancer. This is alongside other types of cancer such as squamous cell cancer and basal cell cancer, which are also caused by prolonged sun exposure.
This is a clear and tangible danger to construction workers. In April 2024, the Knesset Health Committee held a quick discussion under the title " Severe harm to the National Insurance Institute for skin cancer patients due to occupational exposure to the sun ." The participants were exposed to alarming data according to which between 8% and 10% of diagnosed cases of skin cancer in Israel are the result of occupational exposure (in Israel, about 12,000 new skin cancer patients are diagnosed every year, do the math).
Construction workers who perform a significant portion of their work under the blazing sun are in a risk group due to their direct exposure to ultraviolet rays. Therefore, it is very important to take care, for example, to:
Controlled exposure - to clarify for employees at any given moment the connection between controlled exposure to the sun and reducing the risk of developing dangerous skin diseases.
Awareness - Ensure awareness of early diagnosis, which dramatically improves the chances of recovery and full cure. Responsible employers will highlight to employees the early signs that can set off "red flags" such as light spots, the appearance of birthmarks and moles, etc.
Equipment - Be sure to wear protective equipment.
Safe hours - make sure to work during safe hours as much as possible.
Workers at risk - pay attention to workers who are "at high risk" (see below).
Hypersensitivity (workers at risk) – Fair-skinned people need to be especially careful with sun exposure. This is reflected in the current high number of foreign workers on construction sites due to the decrease in the number of Palestinian workers following October 7. These workers, who have fair skin, especially need guidance and supervision regarding their employment conditions in the Israeli sun and the hot summer.
Besides cancer caused by prolonged sun exposure, there are also "point events" that can harm workers in the summer. One of them is "excessive heat."
"Heatstroke" is a significant risk factor for field workers, especially in situations where they work in high temperatures and humidity. When a worker is exposed to extreme heat on a construction site, he may reach a state of physiological heat stress, in which the internal body temperature rises above 38 degrees Celsius.
Symptoms of such a condition include dehydration, loss of concentration, skin irritation, rash, and more. As the worker continues to work, he may develop heat stroke and, in severe cases, even death . In addition, heat stress also affects cognitive function and increases the risk of work accidents.
Proper management of working hours strives to reduce activity during the hot hours – 10:00-16:00 – as much as possible. If it is impossible to “stop work” for long hours during the day, it is possible to schedule the hot times for work in the shade. It is very important, of course, to make sure to drink water and to provide employees with as many cold and available drinking facilities as possible.
The responsibility is yours, although it does not necessarily stem directly from the law. The Kav LaOved organization criticizes the fact that the Ministry of Labor did publish an implementation guide for working on construction sites under heat stress in July 2024, but did not add a regulatory obligation with notifications and enforcement.
The above-mentioned application guide, which you can read in its full version here , lists a number of measures that employers can take to reduce employees' exposure to heat stress, such as rotation, encouraging drinking, breaks, and the like.
Excessive heat
Every summer there are a number of extremely hot days when it is advisable to reduce work or even cancel it altogether. An article recently published in the Haaretz newspaper and conducted in collaboration with the Meteorological Service (Nir Hasson, " You're Not Wrong: Sharp Jump in the Number of Extremely Hot Days in Israel in the Last Decade ", July 2024) found that since the 1990s, the number of days in which an extremely hot temperature was measured in Israel has doubled and tripled.
The article also states that the expected models indicate that heat waves in Israel will be more frequent and last longer. On particularly hot days, special arrangements must be made, including at construction sites.
Using the Meteorological Service – Also get to know Telegram, which will help you prepare
The Israel Meteorological Service is the government body responsible for weather forecasting, and operates under the Ministry of Transportation. The Service operates about 80 measuring stations scattered throughout the country, which measure and forecast a variety of indicators such as temperature, wind, pressure, humidity, and more.
The service publishes an hourly forecast for each locality, which also includes segmentations according to heat load, radiation, wind speed, rainfall, and more. This is in addition to daily warnings derived from the weather forecast. Foremen can and should use the above information to warn of heat loads and deal with them accordingly.
The Safety Administration operates a Telegram channel with alerts about extreme heat loads based on data from the Meteorological Service. Contractors, developers and project managers are invited to join the Occupational Safety and Health Administration's Telegram channel free of charge (search Telegram for "Safety and Health Administration Updates" ) and receive all updates and information directly to your mobile phone.
Extreme heat days
In addition to the safety instructions regarding working hours and ongoing training, it is important to ensure that employees wear safety equipment appropriate for summer and sun exposure:
Long-sleeved clothing (pants and sleeves) – tightly woven fabrics are most effective (such as cotton).
Sunscreen – Apply sunscreen and reapply it during work hours. The most recommended sunscreen is SPF 30-50. To make things easier for workers, it is a good idea to purchase a sweat-resistant sunscreen for them.
Glasses – Sunglasses that filter ultraviolet rays can be very useful for working in the summer.
Be aware that workers may "overlap" and you must be on guard. Heat increases the worker's sense of discomfort when using personal protective equipment, which may make it difficult for them to continue using it, thus leading to an increase in the level of exposure and risk. The job of the foreman is therefore to ensure that the protective equipment is worn as required. Just as discomfort from using a helmet or seat belt is not an "acceptable excuse" for removing them.
Responsible employers and managers will also identify employees who are more susceptible than others to working in hot conditions , such as people over the age of 65, who are overweight, who suffer from underlying diseases such as heart problems and blood pressure, who take certain medications or have a medical history, and who have fair skin.
Responsibility of the factory or work site manager
The foreman must be aware of these issues related to heat loads and act accordingly. He must be careful to demand and monitor that the rules are followed when performing the work, as well as draw the attention of department/site/workplace managers and their employees.
According to the Occupational Safety Regulations (Personal Protective Equipment), 5757-1977, "A worker exposed to sunlight shall wear clothing and a hat that will cover his body and head and prevent damage from the sun's rays, and shall wear suitable glasses to filter ultraviolet radiation." The regulations state that the employer must provide employees with means of protection from sunlight, such as clothing to protect the skin from ultraviolet radiation, protective ointment, and glasses.
The Labor Inspection Organization Regulations (Provision of Information and Training of Workers), 1999, require the employer to provide information to the employee regarding risks in the workplace and to instruct him regarding the prevention of risks and protection against them. According to these regulations, in workplaces where workers are exposed to the sun, training must be provided to employees on the subject of preventing the risks of solar radiation and the training must be documented as required by these regulations.
Sun protective clothing
In conclusion,
Dehydration or collapse on a construction site can cause serious medical damage and even death. Developers, contractors and foremen must be responsible for the safety of workers even in the face of "General Summer." Whether in terms of balancing activities during hot hours, whether in sun protection equipment, or in training and raising awareness.
Employees who develop a serious skin disease (such as cancer) as a result of their employment conditions can be recognized as work-related injuries and can even claim compensation directly from the employer for breach of the duty of care towards them.
One-off incidents – such as dehydration or heatstroke – are truly a “worksite accident” with all the consequences for the insured. From the right to sue National Insurance to the ability to also seek compensation from the employer in a civil proceeding. Dear foremen, entrepreneurs and contractors, take precautions and adhere to the following rules on your construction sites this summer:
· Plenty of drinks and drinking facilities scattered throughout the complex for the benefit of employees.
· Wearing hats and sun protection, including long sleeves. Light-colored clothing and sweat-wicking clothing are preferred.
· Regular shade breaks and limited work during hot hours.
· Use sunscreen and reapply every few hours.
· Identify signs of heatstroke and dehydration.
· Ventilation and use of fans/coolers, if possible according to local conditions.
· Ensure safety when working at height and with hot equipment.
· Mandatory training and notifications for employees.
· Conducting training for site managers and providing detailed explanations about summer risks at construction sites.
Need questions and guidance on preparing the construction site for the summer? Talk to us and we will be happy to help.
Dehydration or collapse on a construction site can cause serious medical damage and even death. Developers, contractors and foremen must be responsible for the safety of workers even in the face of "General Summer." Whether in terms of balancing activities during hot hours, whether in sun protection equipment, or in training and raising awareness.
Employees who develop a serious skin disease (such as cancer) as a result of their employment conditions can be recognized as work-related injuries and can even claim compensation directly from the employer for breach of the duty of care towards them.
One-off incidents – such as dehydration or heatstroke – are truly a “worksite accident” with all the consequences for the insured. From the right to sue National Insurance to the ability to also seek compensation from the employer in a civil proceeding. Dear foremen, entrepreneurs and contractors, take precautions and adhere to the following rules on your construction sites this summer:
· Plenty of drinks and drinking facilities scattered throughout the complex for the benefit of employees.
· Wearing hats and sun protection, including long sleeves. Light-colored clothing and sweat-wicking clothing are preferred.
· Regular shade breaks and limited work during hot hours.
· Use sunscreen and reapply every few hours.
· Identify signs of heatstroke and dehydration.
· Ventilation and use of fans/coolers, if possible according to local conditions.
· Ensure safety when working at height and with hot equipment.
· Mandatory training and notifications for employees.
· Conducting training for site managers and providing detailed explanations about summer risks at construction sites.
Need questions and guidance on preparing the construction site for the summer? Talk to us and we will be happy to help.
