Link copied!

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 the harsh summer sun?

Sun safety is just the start

We all know the basics: Slip, Slop, Slap, and Wrap to reduce the risk of sunburn, skin damage and skin cancer. But heat can be just as dangerous. Heat exhaustion, dehydration, and fatigue can creep up quickly if you are 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 develop into heat stroke.

Heat stroke

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

Early signs include heat rash and heat cramps, spotting them early can help prevent things from getting worse.

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

If you’ve got underlying health conditions that might be affected by extreme heat, make sure someone at work knows.

Manage the risks

Plan ahead

The sun is strongest between 10am and 4pm. Take regular breaks, work in the shade where possible, and consider shifting physically demanding tasks to cooler parts of the day.

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 can still burn your skin.  Here’s another great resource on protecting yourself outdoors.

Listen to your body

Feeling light headed, tired, or short of breath? Take a break. Heat stress builds quickly and can affect how well you think and move and that’s when incidents happen.

Keep the conversation going

Make heat and UV exposure a regular Toolbox topic. This 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 0800 555 339