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 ?
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.
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 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.
The sun is strongest between 10am and 4pm. Take regular breaks during this time, and wherever possible, schedule tasks in shaded or covered areas.
Drink plenty of water, even if you’re not feeling thirsty. Sweating means you’re losing fluids fast.
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.
Don’t push too hard. Rotate tasks and avoid heavy physical work during peak heat hours.
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.
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
The holidays are done and dusted, and it’s time to ease back into work. Reopening your site safely is just as important as shutting it down properly and the New Year is the perfect chance to reset, refocus, and set the tone for the months ahead.
After a couple of weeks off, it’s normal for the team to have a bit of Mondayitis. So on day one, take it slow and run through a few key steps to get everyone back on track safely.
Before anyone gets stuck in, hold a Toolbox meeting.
Review SSSP (Site-Specific Safety Plan), walk through emergency procedures, and ensure everyone is fit for work and mentally ready after the break.
A lot can change while you’re off-site.
Walk the site and note any new hazards or risks, check fences and gates, and make sure everything is still secure.
Weather and time can take a toll. Check scaffolds, excavations, temporary structures, and anything else that could have shifted or been damaged while you were away.
Before the team starts using anything, run inspections and pre-starts. Make sure tools, gear, and mobile plant are in good working condition.
Think about a soft start. Give everyone time to check their work areas, ease into the pace, and remember that safety is the priority.
Also keep in mind: after a couple of weeks relaxing in air-con, people may not be ready for full heat exposure straight away.
Hot weather brings extra risks, so put simple steps in place to keep your team safe and comfortable.
Provide shade and shelter: Set up shade tents or covered areas outdoors. For indoor work, open windows or use fans to keep air moving.
Keep everyone hydrated and protected: Make sure workers always have access to drinking water, and encourage sunscreen, lightweight clothing, sunglasses, and sun-protective hats.
Watch for signs of heat-related illness: Everyone reacts differently to heat. Keep an eye out for symptoms like:
If someone shows symptoms, provide first aid and seek medical help if needed.
If temperatures get extreme, it might be safer to pause work until conditions improve.
Where possible, shift heavy physical tasks to machinery to reduce heat exposure.
Safety is a team effort. Remind everyone to check in on their mates and report any heat stress symptoms early. Quick action can stop things from getting worse.
Keep your team’s health, safety, and well-being front of mind as you head into the New Year.
Here are some handy resources to help:
If you need support or have questions, our Advisory Team is here to help on 1800 954 702 .
When you’re able to get back on site after a flood or storm, here are the hazards, risks and control measures you should consider to help reduce the risk of injury and illness to yourself, your workers and others involved in the clean up and repair effort.
