Summer is a great time for construction work but a brutal time for construction workers. Excessive temps and sun exposure pose significant dangers, such as sunburn, dehydration, heat cramps, heat exhaustion, and heatstroke. Every year, construction workers become ill on the job, and some even lose their lives due to heat exposure.

To protect its workers from the extreme summer temperatures, Western Specialty Contractors manages a heat illness training program and a safety hotline for its employees.

As part of the program, training is provided to all employees and supervisors who work in high temperatures. Training topics include how heat can affect the body, how to identify the signs and symptoms of various heat-related illnesses, and what to do if a co-worker is experiencing symptoms of a heat-related illness. Western also regulates the hotter environment by providing water and shade to workers and having supervisors and safety managers monitor the heat index so that the proper protective measures can be taken.

“It is important, particularly during the summer months, that outdoor workers drink plenty of fluids to help prevent dehydration, which is the primary cause of heat cramps and exhaustion,” said Alex Jeffries, Safety Director at Western Specialty Contractors.

Alex, who has training and experience managing the health and safety of outdoor workers, offers the following tips for preventing heat-related illnesses on a construction job site:

1. Drink water frequently and drink enough water that you never become thirsty. Drink water or other non-caffeinated electrolytic beverages, and ensure your drinks are always cool, not room temperature. Adding a lemon slice to water can make plain water more drinkable.
2. 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.
3. Gradually build up to heavy work. If possible, do the most demanding work during the coolest time of the day. Workers who are suddenly exposed to working in a hot environment face additional hazards to their health and safety. New workers and those returning from time away need to be extra careful in ensuring they stay hydrated.
4. Take more breaks in extreme heat and humidity. Move to the shade or an air-conditioned area 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 temperature. Use cooling fans whenever possible.
5. Select your lunch carefully. Junk food is high in fat and preservatives and will put a high caloric load on the digestive system. Try eating a big breakfast, so you're not as hungry at lunch. Eat light lunches that include fruits, vegetables, and salads.
6. 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.
7. 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.

By training employees on the early signs of heat exhaustion, taking the proper precautions, and employing tips like those listed above, outdoor workers can significantly reduce the risk of heat-related dangers.

(St. Louis, MO, April 8, 2022) – The International Concrete Repair Institute (ICRI), the only association in the concrete industry devoted solely to repair and restoration, recently announced the winners of its 40 Under 40 Award. Western Specialty Contractors is proud to announce that Steve Genovese, Senior Branch Manager of its Chicago Branch, was among the announced winners.

This year’s 40 Under 40 winners were recognized at the ICRI’s 2022 Spring Convention, April 4-6, in Baltimore, MD. The prestigious award recognizes 40 individuals who exemplify dedication to the concrete repair industry. A peer-nominated award, the ICRI 40 Under 40 recognizes individuals who have demonstrated their commitment to continued professional growth, high potential for continued success in leadership roles, and a strong passion for – and commitment to – the mission of ICRI.

“It is a great privilege to be recognized by my industry peers for this award. I am thankful for all the relationships that I have made and continue to make during my 16+ years in this industry while being an active ICRI member. ICRI has been a key component in developing my industry knowledge throughout my career.”

– Steve Genovese, Recipient of ICRI's 40 Under 40 Award & Chicago Senior Branch Manager

Genovese started with Western in 2006 as an Asst. Sales/Project Manager then promoted to Sales/Project Manager in 2008 and Department Manager in 2013. He was named Western’s Chicago Branch Manager in 2016. 

He has been an active member of the Illinois ICRI Chapter since 2007 and served as the chapter’s president in 2015. He has a Bachelor of Science in Construction Management from Illinois State University and an Associate in Arts from Triton College. 

In 2021, the ICRI honored Western’s Chicago Branch with a “Project of the Year” award for its concrete restoration work at Extra Space Storage in Chicago. The project was selected for its unique construction challenges and historical significance. Western made slab underside concrete repairs throughout the 1900s building and slab topside repairs on the building’s ramps and parking surfaces. Western also applied a traffic bearing membrane to all the vehicular traffic surfaces in the three-story building, which previously stored the Chicago Tribune’s delivery trucks.

Western’s Minneapolis Assistant Branch Manager David Grandbois was named an ICRI 40 Under 40 in 2020, the award’s inaugural year. Project Manager Tony Marchiafava of Western’s Minneapolis Branch and Derek Robertson of its New York Branch also received the award in 2021.  

About Western Specialty Contractors

Family-owned and operated for more than 100 years, Western Specialty Contractors is the nation’s largest specialty contractor in masonry and concrete restoration, waterproofing, and specialty roofing. Western offers a nationwide network of expertise that building owners, engineers, architects, and property managers can count on to develop cost-effective, corrective measures that can add years of useful life to a variety of structures, including industrial, commercial, healthcare, historic, educational and government buildings, parking structures, and sports stadiums. Western is headquartered in St. Louis, MO, with 30 branch offices nationwide and employs more than 1,200 salaried and hourly professionals who offer the best, time-tested techniques and innovative technology. For more information about Western Specialty Contractors, visit https://WesternSpecialtyContractors.com.