Summer Safety Guide

As we move into warmer weather and the sun begins to show itself more frequently many of us look forward to working outside and not being limited by heavy and extra layers. Warm weather can serve as a motivation for many workers and whilst British summer time holds some truly enjoyable weather, working outdoors, especially for prolonged periods is considered a workplace hazard and one we should all take seriously.

Too much sunlight is harmful to our skin and can cause skin damage including sunburn, blistering and skin ageing and in the long term can lead to an increased risk of skin cancer. Skin cancer is one of the most common forms of cancer in the UK with over 50,000 new cases every year.

When working outdoors the effects of the weather in the UK environment can potentially have a serious impact on an employee’s health if the risks have not been considered or properly managed. This impact may be immediate, or it may occur over a long time period. When working outdoors the weather can influence an individual’s effectiveness and this is not readily managed using just engineering controls.

Employers have a responsibility to protect their staff in these conditions as do the employees themselves with many solutions needing a common sense approach and constant monitoring.

Our expert guide highlights the risks of working outdoors and gives some control measures to reduce it’s impact. It also explores working in extreme temperatures inside during warmer months and looks at how you can maintain good house keeping and a routine of safe working.

Staying safe in any working environment is critical and this is no different to working in a hot environment. It’s easy to become complacent with something that is naturally occurring very year so it’s paramount that you understand the risks, manage them and make sure you keep people safe. With a few simple steps and a better understanding of the what to look out for, employees can be comfortable and effective in the workplace whilst avoiding accidents.