Protecting Utah’s Workforce in the Summer Heat
When the Heat Rises, Construction Doesn’t Stop
When temperatures soar into the triple digits, most of us can retreat indoors. But for Utah’s construction workforce, the work doesn’t stop, and neither does our commitment to safety.
AGC of Utah President & CEO Joey Gilbert recently joined Maria Shilaos on KSL Newsradio’s Utah’s Noon News to spotlight the proactive steps Utah contractors are taking to protect workers in the heat. “Construction doesn’t stop for the weather,” Gilbert noted. “Heat safety isn’t just important, it’s essential to protecting lives.”
Real Risks Require Real Solutions
Our member firms know the risks. Long hours under the sun, physically demanding tasks, and limited shade can lead to dehydration, heat exhaustion, or even heat stroke. But instead of waiting for problems to arise, Utah contractors are staying ahead of the curve with practical, jobsite-tested solutions: adjusting start times, enforcing scheduled water breaks, setting up shaded rest areas, and holding daily heat-safety briefings. Many crews rely on real-time weather alerts to inform their workday decisions and adapt to changing conditions.
Safety Isn’t a Checkbox—It’s a Commitment
Importantly, these aren’t just check-the-box policies. “Every road we build, every structure that goes up, is made possible by hardworking men and women,” Gilbert said. “They’re not just workers, they’re parents, neighbors, and friends. Their safety is what drives our industry forward.”
AGC of Utah reinforces this commitment through statewide safety committees and on-the-ground leadership in both Salt Lake and St. George. We’re not hearing widespread incidents of heat-related illness from our members, and that’s no accident. Our community is working hard to ensure every worker gets home safe, every day.
Download the Heat Safety Poster for Jobsites
To support those efforts, AGC of Utah offers a free Hot Weather Illness Prevention poster, designed for easy download and printing at jobsites. This quick-reference tool reminds crews of the symptoms of heat-related illness and the steps they can take to prevent it. It’s clear, accessible, and made to reinforce the daily conversations already happening on the ground. Contractors can download it directly from our website and place it where it matters most: on the jobsite, where decisions are made and lives are protected.
Flexible Solutions Beat One-Size-Fits-All Mandates
While there’s been national conversation around a federal heat safety standard, Gilbert emphasized the need for local flexibility. “Conditions vary not just state to state, but region to region, even within Utah,” he said. “A one-size-fits-all mandate won’t work for an industry this diverse.”
Thank the Workers Who Build Utah
So next time you drive past a construction site in the sweltering heat, remember the people behind the progress. They’re building the future of Utah, and we’re proud to have their backs.