Summer Workplace Safety Tips | NationalSafetyGear

Beat the Heat: Summer Workplace Safety Tips

Summer is often associated with warmth, fun and plenty of sunshine, but with the heat comes a variety of new workplace hazards for your employees. And, when your employees are facing serious injuries on-the-job it is your job to do everything in your power to keep them safe.

Some of the most common workplace injuries that hit a peak during the summer months include:

• Hyperthermia – Heatstroke from prolonged exposure to the sun. This can cause bodily functions to shut down.
• Dehydration – Sweating in extremely hot temperatures can cause the body to quickly lose fluids. Dehydration can cause fatigue, dry skin and headaches.
• Falls – Strong summer storms can happen quickly and without warning. Slips and falls are common in these challenging working conditions if not properly outfitted with protective gear.
• Vehicular Accidents – Construction is everywhere in the summer. The prominence of orange cones, construction workers and equipment can increase the number of accidents on the road.

As an employer, it is your responsibility to help your team stay healthy, strong and efficient while working through the challenging summer months. Luckily, there are some precautions you can take to keep your team from falling victim to any of these potential workplace hazards.

Dress for Success with Safety Vests and Shirts

Especially when working outside, dressing for the weather is exceedingly important. In the summer, wearing lightweight, moisture-wicking fabrics is essential to keeping your workers cool during the summer heat. Choose safety vests and t-shirts with maximum breathability, light colors and high visibility for adverse weather conditions.

Consider choosing performance dri-fit t-shirts for their ability to wick moisture away from the body, while also being breathable and thin. Long sleeve options are ideal for blocking the sun’s rays and providing an additional line of defense to sunscreen. When it comes to summer safety vests, choose breathable mesh to keep air-flow at a maximum.

Top 5 Tips for Workplace Safety in the Summer

In order to avoid workplace injuries and accidents throughout the summer, there are some other helpful things you can do to encourage safe practices from your workers and to ensure they feel properly equipped to do their best.

Keep your crew safe this summer with these useful tips:

• Employee Education – Educate your employees on the increased workplace risks and how to recognize the signs of heat exhaustion or dehydration.
• Fill Up On Water – Keep your team hydrated at all times by offering frequent breaks and easy access to water.
• Adjust Working Hours – On particularly hot days, try to work early in the morning or late into the evening to avoid the times when the sun is the hottest.
• Take Frequent Breaks – Find cool or shaded areas to rest often while working and potentially pack extra safety vests or tees to change into if you are getting too sweaty.
• Protective Footwear – Even in the summer, it’s essential to provide your team with anti-slip footwear that works in potentially wet conditions.

Running a business is stressful, but keeping your employees safe doesn’t have to be. By investing in the right protective gear and safety t-shirts, your team can beat the heat and stay productive through even the toughest working conditions.