With Summer upon us and the weather finally looking more promising, thoughts turn to that age old problem, of outdoor workers overheating and being safe in the sun.
There’s currently no law stating a maximum working temperature, or when it’s too hot to work but that doesn’t mean that as employers/managers that it is acceptable to put the welfare of our teams at risk ‘to get the job done’. However, we do have to run businesses, so we can’t just pack up for the summer!
So, what can we do?
The HSE suggests the following
- reschedule work to cooler times of the day, so maybe start earlier or finish later to avoid those more dangerous midday temperatures.
- provide more frequent rest breaks and introduce shading to rest areas.
- provide free access to cool drinking water, make sure you have plenty.
- introduce shading in areas where individuals are working
- encourage the removal of personal protective equipment when resting to help encourage heat loss
- educate workers about recognising the early symptoms of heat stress through methods such as Toolbox talks.
Sun exposure can cause sunburn, this can be at varying levels. From superficial burns (where the outer layer of skin burns, looks red, slightly swollen and painful, but not blistered) to a much more severe partial thickness burn (where it burns through multiple layers of skin and blisters)
However, the lasting damage of sun exposure could shock you. Even if you don’t burn often, extended exposure to UV rays over a lifetime can make changes in the skin cells which may lead to skin cancer, the most common of all cancers.
So, what can we do to protect ourselves:
- Keep your top on.
- Wear a hat with a brim or a flap that covers the ears and the back of the neck.
- Stay in the shade whenever possible, during your breaks and especially at lunch time.
- Use a high factor sunscreen of at least SPF15 on any exposed skin.
- Drink plenty of water to avoid dehydration.
- Check your skin regularly for any unusual moles or spots. See a doctor promptly if you find anything that is changing in shape, size or colour, itching or bleeding.
To promote the above ensure that you provide the correct PPE for your teams, such as sun hats and working clothes that are thin to keep them cool. Also ensure that you provide sun cream where they can ‘top up’ at break times.
You may even want to complete health monitoring where the checking of their skin is completed.
If you would like any support in how you can implement good practices for working in the sun, please do not hesitate to get in contact with one of the team.