Safety Spotlight
By T. J. Cantwell, executive director of NCCCOF
When Heat Becomes a Safety Hazard
Rising temperatures can create serious risks for operators, riggers and ground crews
The sun and its heat can be enjoyable when on vacation, and especially when relaxing. However, working in extreme heat, especially under difficult conditions, can lead to heat stress, an important but often overlooked safety hazard. As we approach the summer months across the U. S., the NCCCO Foundation( NCCCOF) is working to raise awareness around the dangers of heat stress in the crane industry.
Recent research and resources developed by the NCCCOF in collaboration with the National Safety Council( NSC) highlight the frequent and high risk of heat stress that people working in cranes experience.
Being warm or becoming hot while outside during the summer is not unusual and in fact is often the desired outcome; however, when the body absorbs more heat than it can release, it causes heat stress. Heat stress can have significant personal negative health effects, and when working, can also have a negative impact on the safety of those working around them.
Under heat stress, the body becomes unable to regulate its internal temperature through biological responses such as sweating and increased blood flow. People working on a construction site, especially those working with cranes, are subject to many of the conditions that can lead from being just hot to experiencing heat stress. Factors such as high temperatures, humidity, wearing heavy clothing, poor hydration and intense physical activity are just a few of the environmental and personal physical factors that can lead to increased risk of heat stress.
In a survey conducted by the NCCCOF
and NSC, crane operators reported that heat stress contributed to 18 % of the 629 reported personal injuries. In fact, heat-related injuries accounted for 17 % to 25 % of total reported injuries across all crane-related roles, including riggers and signalpersons. This is not surprising given the amount of time crane operators spend in the cab throughout the day, and the exhausting work done by ground crews in direct sunlight before, during and after a lift.
The impact of heat stress can therefore be significant to both the individual and those working with them. Heat stress can cause heat cramps, heat edema, heat exhaustion, heat rash, heat syncope and even heat stroke. In addition, these conditions and their effects can have adverse effects on the work being performed on
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June 2026 • www. cranehotline. com