why we say: If it feels off, shut it down. Safety isn’ t a delay. In fact, it’ s the best way to protect your progress.
Engineering Heat Safety Certainly, hydration and shade matter. But that should be the bare minimum for crane crews. Heat safety has to be engineered into the work plan, just like the lift schedule. Here’ s what that looks like:
• Rotated Responsibilities: Don’ t keep the same spotter in direct sun for four hours. Rotate in shifts.
• Scheduled Downtime: Build heat breaks into the project timeline, not just“ if we have time.”
• Cool Zones On-Site: Measures like portable fans, misting stations and shaded
tents might go overlooked in initial estimates, until an emergency makes them a budgeting priority.
• Hydration Monitoring: Assign a designated crew member to monitor hydration and ensure all team members are taking regular opportunities to drink fluids( i. e., water) and stay properly hydrated throughout the workday.
• Jobsite Monitoring: Use weather alerts and heat index tracking to trigger safety level changes, meaning that when the index hits certain thresholds, work methods adjust accordingly.
Risk Multiplier
It’ s widely understood that heat-related fatigue affects judgment. And in crane operations, that split-second hesitation or misread signal can lead to dropped loads and swing hazards.
Heat also compromises grip strength that’ s crucial when handling rigging or controls. Sweaty hands, slippery gloves and reduced dexterity are a recipe for mishaps.
There’ s also the machinery to consider. High temps can naturally affect hydraulic performance, sensor accuracy and steel expansion for example. Equipment checks must be more frequent with operators reporting even minor irregularities.
Train for Terrain
Keep in mind that new hires or operators arriving from cooler climates might not be acclimatized to sun-scorched jobsites. And bodies that aren’ t
Pre-job safety briefings— before the start of each shift— are a great time to reinforce summer protocols and remind workers of the signs of heat stress.
www. contractorshotline. com August 22, 2025 13