English summers are getting hotter each year making it difficult for workers to keep cool in summer. The sad fact of climate change is that this may well be the coolest summer of your life.

This increase in heat increases the dangers to outdoor workers. Even on overcast days, the sun can still cause burns and thermal discomfort.

The environment your people work in can exacerbate the problem. If there is no air movement, ventilation or an increase in humidity, this too can make your employees feel warm enough to be uncomfortable.

The Uncomfortable Truth About Summer Working

The World Health Organization recently (28/05/2024) reported on the effects of climate change and worker's health. They discovered that working in hot conditions puts excess stress on people's Hearts and Kidneys, worsening any underlying cardiovascular, mental, respiratory and diabetes related conditions.

It is important that you listen to your employees, if they are too hot you need to change the work that they are doing, the conditions they are working in, or provide better temperature regulation. Allow regular breaks and make sure everyone understands the risks of dehydration and how to avoid heat stress at work.

PPE Regulations for Summer

PPE legislations require employers to consider work environments and their effects on worker's health. Any protective clothing or PPE you provide needs to protect them against the elements as well as the specific dangers of the jobs.

Summer protective clothing should be designed to keep workers as cool as possible. Workers should not be wearing the cheapest available option. All PPE must be provided free to employees, but that doesn;t give you the excuse to skimp on quality.

Keeping Cool During Hot Months

Working hours should be adapted and altered to minimise sun and heat exposure.

You should shorten outside work during the hottest part of the day and provide shade. There should be frequent rest periods in a cool, shaded place and cool, clean water to avoid dehydration. Maybe consider providing company branded water bottles to encourage this.

You should also encourage your workers to remove their PPE when they are not working to aid heat loss. Having ear defenders around the neck or a respirator sat atop the head is a really bad idea in heat as it restricts sweat from evaporating and cooling down the body.

If your business works on scaffolding, you need to consider covering the scaffolding site. This is a great way to provide shade for your team. Construction site workers can use fans to help move air around part-built buildings.

What to Wear to Keep Cool

Safety Hats

Cover your neck with loose UV-resistant cloth when wearing a hard hat or safety helmet to reduce the risk of burns, and apply sun cream to your neck and ears.

If not wearing a hard hat, wear a wide-brimmed hat or cap to shield your face from the sun and ensure you apply sun cream for additional protection.

Clothing

When possible, wear long-sleeved hi-vis waistcoats for maximum sun protection, especially if the fabric is UV-protected. Choose close-knit materials to prevent burns through the fabric.

Long sleeves and work trousers also offer protection from insect bites, stings, cuts, and grazes. While work shorts may feel cooler, they can increase the risk of heat stress without proper sunscreen application.

Sun cream

Apply sun cream every 2-3 hours (Employers are not legally obliged to provide sun screen, but it could be a goodwill factor). Use at least SPF 15.

Wear safety glasses with tinted lenses - And it goes without saying, do not look directly at the sun.

Wear Lighter Colours

Workers should wear light-coloured clothing in hot weather because it reflects more sunlight and absorbs less heat, keeping them cooler.

Light-coloured clothing in cool close-knit UV-protected fabrics, some with sweat-wicking properties, offers better protection than dark clothing. A hi vis t shirt is an ideal way of replacing the double layers of a plain t shirt and hi vis vest with 1 fully compliant layer - perfect for summer.

Conclusion

To keep cool in summer, it is important for you and your employees to limit your sun exposure. You can do this by scheduling frequent breaks, providing water, and paying attention to the clothes you and your workers are wearing in the heat.

Overheating can cause the body to go into shock and experience heat stress and heat stroke. These can be life threatening situations. At the very least, excess heat can make existing conditions much worse.

Educate all of your workers on how to recognise these signs and teach them how to keep cool each summer.