Keeping cool and efficient in the Summer heat

In the latest in our Business Toolbox Health and Safety series, we share some highlights of the steps that WorkSafe and SiteSafe advise you take to work safely when the Summer temperatures soar.

Want to explore in detail? Check out the links at the end of this article to find out more about your responsibilities as an employer or employee.

How do you keep your cool when it’s getting hot outside?

Hawke’s Bay Summers have a reputation for turning up the heat. While a bottle of water can help you stay hydrated, you may find a bit more equipment is needed to protect yourself on a scorching day. Particularly if you’re working outside in an unsheltered space. Here are some simple things that WorkSafe advises you should do to protect yourself and/or your team.

Is there a better time to work?

From late morning through into the afternoon is the hottest time of day. If possible, try to work under cover during this time – or move your hottest, hardest work to the either end of the day. Harder work increases the impact of a hot day on your body. Staying out of the sun during the hottest hours, or picking lighter tasks, could help you manage the heat more effectively.

Be aware of medical conditions and medication risks

Certain medical conditions and medications can increase the impact of hot weather – both mentally and physically. If you’re taking medication or have a pre-existing medical condition; make sure you’re aware of any potential risks in hot weather.

If you manage staff, take time to make sure they are aware that they need to monitor their medication and health and keep you informed.

Cover up – with PPE and sunscreen

Avoiding direct sun exposure protects your skin and also reduces the impact of the sun’s heat on your body. Any staff working outside in hot weather should be provided with appropriate PPE to help them stay cool and protected from the sun.

Sunscreen should also be provided and worn to make sure that your skin is protected from the sun’s harmful rays. This Toolbox Talk from SiteSafe is a great resource for making sure you and anyone in your team understand how to cover up and stay safe.

Sweat it up and stay hydrated

Sweat is the body’s natural cooling process so it’s important to make sure that your clothing and your environment are not getting in the way of this. The right PPE along with loose fitting clothing can go a long way towards making you more comfortable in the heat.

The more you sweat, the more you need to drink to replace lost moisture. Whether you’re an employer or employee it’s important to make sure you and your team have access to lots of cool liquid refreshment to help you stay hydrated.

Take a cooling break under cover

Breaks are an important part of any working day – giving you a chance to recharge mentally and physically before the next task.

When the temperature soars it’s important to monitor the number of breaks you or your staff need. As the hotter weather takes a bigger toll on your energy levels; you may need to adjust the time you take to recharge too.

Explore WorkSafe’s advice on managing fatigue here.

Watch out for signs you are overheating

It’s easy to overheat while you’re working. Being aware of the symptoms of heat-related illness can help you to spot a problem early. Take a look on the WorkSafe website and familiarise yourself with the different types of illness that could hit you on a hot day.

From heat rashes and cramps to heat stroke and more, your body has a range of reactions to high temperature that you should avoid.

Keep an eye on the heat

Understanding how to keep your staff or yourself comfortable requires an understanding of what drives thermal comfort. Heat can be caused by a range of different factors including actual air temperature; air flow; humidity; radiant heat; and metabolic rate.

If you need to carry out a risk assessment as an employer or business owner, you may want to call in an occupational health expert. They can help you understand what factor you need to monitor and which measures you should put in place to protect the health of your team.

Helping you stay productive, all year round

If you want to protect your team from the heat; we’re happy to help. Allways Hire has a wide range of machines available to hire – many of which have air-conditioned cabs. Find out if your next hire has air conditioning today by exploring our equipment online or calling our team.

Links that could help you:

Working Safely in Extreme Temperatures (WorkSafe)
Managing Thermal Comfort At Work (WorkSafe)
Working in Summer (SiteSafe)
Be Sun Safe (SiteSafe)
Advice for Small Business Owners on Managing Fatigue (WorkSafe)