Summer Safety at Work: Staying Cool, Alert and Protected

As the UK heads into summer, longer days and (hopefully!) warmer weather bring a seasonal boost—but also fresh health and safety challenges for both indoor and outdoor workers.

Whether you’re managing a construction site, waste operations, grounds maintenance or logistics, it’s essential to adjust your approach as the environment changes. Here are some timely reminders and practical tips to help keep your workforce safe and productive through the warmer months.

🌡️ Heat Stress Is a Real Risk

Even in Britain, when temperatures rise suddenly, our bodies—and working practices—need time to adjust.

Watch out for signs of heat stress:

• Headaches, dizziness, nausea
• Excessive sweating or, conversely, no sweating (a late sign)
• Confusion or irritability
• Muscle cramps

What can employers do?

• Provide shaded rest areas or break shelters
• Allow more frequent breaks, especially in high-heat jobs
• Adjust shift times to avoid working during peak midday sun
• Provide plenty of cool drinking water (and encourage regular hydration!)

👷 PPE in the Heat

Workers still need PPE—no matter the weather—but some kit can make hot conditions worse.

Tips:

• Choose lighter-weight, breathable PPE that meets standards
• Encourage staff to report discomfort so alternatives can be sourced
• Promote good hygiene and provide wipes or cooling towels

🧴 Sun Protection

Sunburn isn’t just uncomfortable—it increases long-term skin cancer risk.

Encourage outdoor staff to:

• Use high-factor (SPF 30+) sunscreen
• Wear wide-brimmed hats or neck protectors where helmets aren’t mandatory
• Wear UV-rated clothing if possible

Remember: UV exposure can still be high on cloudy days.

🚜 Vehicle & Machinery Checks

Warm weather can increase strain on vehicles, especially those used in waste, construction, and logistics. Watch for:

• Overheating engines
• Tyre pressure changes
• Hot surfaces that could burn (e.g. metal grab handles)

Top tip: Remind operators to do visual and hands-on checks at the start of each shift.

🧠 Stay Mentally Sharp

Heat can impact concentration. That increases the risk of mistakes, near misses, or accidents—especially in safety-critical roles.

What helps:

• Promoting a culture where workers can speak up when feeling unwell
• Encouraging team leaders to monitor fatigue
• Rotating staff between more and less physically demanding tasks

In Summary

Summer brings its own safety risks—but they’re all manageable with forward planning, open communication, and proactive support.

Review your risk assessments, update your toolbox talks, and check that your team knows how to spot early signs of heat-related illness. Most importantly, remind them that their health comes first—no task is worth risking long-term harm.

Stay safe, stay hydrated, and enjoy the sunshine (responsibly)!

Here is a toolbox talk to provide to staff. Click Toolbox_Talk_Summer_Safety

Contact us for further information.