It’s that time of year again, when construction workers—and anyone else who works in the elements—must prepare to face an onslaught of hot, sticky weather. That’s why it’s imperative to learn how construction workers can stay cool (and safe) in the heat.

This type of weather isn’t just an inconvenience for outdoor workers. It reduces productivity and can also be extremely dangerous.

But construction workers can beat the heat by taking a few simple precautions. Here’s a list of our top ways to cool down when the mercury goes up.

The Danger of Working in Extreme Heat

Statistics show that construction workers are at an elevated risk of death, illness, injury, and reduced productivity when working in extreme heat. The U.S. Center for Disease Control (CDC) says nearly 300 construction workers died on the job from heat-related causes between 1992 and 2016, representing more than one-third of all heat-related occupational deaths in the U.S.

Further research over a 10-year period showed that U.S. construction workers were 13x more likely to die from heat-related issues than other workers, along with productivity declines and increased stress parameters, including elevated heart rates.

How Construction Workers Can Stay Cool in Extreme Heat

Get Acclimated

While this mostly applies to newer workers or those who have been off the job for a while, everyone needs to get acclimated to the heat when the seriously hot weather comes around to avoid thermal stress and the dangerous outcomes it can produce. Acclimation to the heat benefits your heart and other organs and helps improve the body’s ability to sweat.

Most heat experts say it takes one to two weeks to acclimate to the heat (while this may sound unproductive to some, it’s a lot more productive than suffering heat exhaustion or heatstroke).

The CDC says the first five days of acclimation are the most important and that new workers should do the following:

Returning or veteran workers with experience in extreme heat, on the other hand, should do this:

The CDC also says that, while your body’s acclimatization is maintained for a few days after an end to extreme heat exposure, it can take up to one month without heat for most people’s tolerance to come down to its typical leve

Adjust work schedules

Consider working during the cooler parts of the day, such as early morning, to avoid the hottest temperatures. Because summer heat typically peaks between 3 and 6 p.m., adjusting your work schedule to begin a couple of hours earlier can make a huge difference in your crew’s comfort and productivity.

Just be sure to consider early-morning noise if you’re working in an urban or residential area. Many jurisdictions have ordinances prohibiting loud noise before 7 a.m.

Stay hydrated

This one seems obvious, but it’s sometimes easy to forget to drink plenty of water throughout the day to replace fluids lost through sweating if you’re on a tight schedule or deadline to finish work.

Experts recommend outdoor workers in the heat consume water or other hydrating fluids (not coffee, alcohol, or soda) every 20 minutes or so. Sports drinks, fruit juice, and coconut water are also great options—just watch the sugar intake.

If you’re working outdoors in the heat and start feeling weak, dizzy, have a dry mouth/swollen tongue, or have lost the ability to sweat, it’s time to hydrate. Now.

Watch the heat index/humidex

This doesn’t apply in some parts of the country, like Nevada—where it’s a dry heat!—but it certainly does throughout most regions, where the temperature reading is typically only half the story. Humidity acts like a force multiplier on a hot day and can inhibit the body from sweating, rendering it unable to cool itself as it normally would.

Keeping an eye on the heat index (or humidex in Canada) to determine the apparent temperature, which is the actual temperature with heat and humidity combined, can save your workers from a potential heat injury or illness.

Take extra breaks

Taking frequent breaks in extreme heat isn’t a sign of laziness or weakness—it’s a necessity, especially for workers who need extra protective clothing (which can prevent heat loss and the evaporation of sweat).

Schedule regular breaks in shaded or air-conditioned areas so workers can rest and cool down.

Wear light and breathable clothing (and hats)

Workers should choose loose-fitting, lightweight, and light-colored clothing (ideally made of moisture-wicking materials or natural fibers such as cotton) to help keep the body cool. Wearing a hat with a wide brim can also help provide shade from the sun, but if you don’t have one of those, any hat is better than nothing.

Without ventilation, your body’s internal temperature can skyrocket to unsafe levels in extreme heat.

Use cooling towels, vests, packs, or bandanas

Workers can also wet a towel or bandana with cold water and wear it around their neck to help lower their body temperature. Specially designed cooling vests and neck coolers can also help absorb heat.

Using a portable or misting fan in your work area can also help circulate the air and create a cooling breeze in the oppressive heat.

Conclusion

Working a construction site or other outdoor job in extreme heat isn’t just uncomfortable. And it’s not just relatively unproductive. If the proper precautions aren’t taken, it can also be deadly.

Outdoor laborers can protect themselves, however, by taking a few simple precautions, including drinking plenty of fluids, wearing the right clothing, taking breaks, and starting slow to ensure their bodies acclimate to the heat.

Productivity will always suffer, at least somewhat, in a heatwave. However, construction managers and job site supervisors can keep workers safe and productive by enforcing at least some precautions.

After all, asking someone to take breaks every 20 minutes might seem counterproductive, but it’s much more productive than taking them to the hospital.