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Summer’s here. Are you ready for the heat?

Longer days and sunshine make it feel like the perfect time to crack into work. But while summer brings good vibes, it also brings its own set of risks. No matter the season, hazards don’t take a break and the hot weather can put extra pressure on your team.

So, what steps are you taking to keep everyone safe from the heat and sun exposure ?

Sun safety is just the start

We all know the basics: Slip, Slop, Slap, and Wrap to protect against sunburn and skin damage. But heat can be just as dangerous. Heat exhaustion, dehydration, and fatigue can creep up quickly if you’re not prepared.

Know the signs

Heat exhaustion

Heat exhaustion happens when the body overheats from losing too much water and salt through sweat. If you don’t act fast, it can turn into heat stroke.

Heat stroke

Heat stroke occurs when the body can no longer cool itself down, pushing body temperature to 39.4°C or higher. This is serious and needs urgent medical attention.

Heat rash and heat cramps are early warning signs, spotting them early can prevent things from getting worse.

Check out this helpful resource for symptoms and treatment options for heat-related illnesses.

And if you’ve got underlying health conditions that might be affected by extreme heat, make sure your workplace knows.

Manage the risks

Plan ahead

The sun is strongest between 10am and 4pm. Take regular breaks during this time, and wherever possible, schedule tasks in shaded or covered areas.

Stay hydrated

Drink plenty of water, even if you’re not feeling thirsty. Sweating means you’re losing fluids fast.

Cover up

Slip on a shirt, Slop on sunscreen, Slap on a hat, and Wrap on sunglasses. Even on cloudy days, UV rays are still able to burn your skin.  Here’s another great resource on protecting yourself outdoors.

Take it easy

Don’t push too hard. Rotate tasks and avoid heavy physical work during peak heat hours.

Listen to your body

Just because the weather is good doesn’t mean you should work longer. Heat and fatigue affect how well you think and move and that’s when incidents happen.

Keep the conversation going

Talking about heat and UV risks at your Toolbox meetings is a simple and effective way to keep your team aware of this often-overlooked hazard.  And remember, you can record all your Toolbox meetings easily in the HazardCo App.

If you’ve got questions or want to chat about the risks on your site, our Advisory Team is here to help.

Give us a call on 1800 954 702