Industry News
How to Stay Safe When Working
Outdoors this Summer
» » TRADESPEOPLE HAVE BEEN
offered key advice for staying safe and
healthy when working outdoors in the
searing summer heat.
Every summer millions of outdoor
workers face the risk of dehydration and
heat stress as well as the increased risk
of an accident happening because of
tiredness and lack of concentration.
Too much sunlight can be extremely
harmful to your skin, causing sunburn and
blistering as well as irreversible ageing.
In the long term, it can also lead to an
increased risk of skin cancer, one of the
most common forms of cancer in the
UK.
If you work outdoors for a long time,
your skin could be exposed to more sun
than is healthy for you, and you should
take particular care if you have fair or
freckled skin, red or fair hair, or a large
number of moles.
Tim Alcock from LeaseVan.co.uk
commented: “For British workers,
blistering hot days are few and far
between – even over the summer – so
they’re often a cause for celebration when
they do roll around.
“But if you’re an outdoor worker, they
can actually pose a health hazard if you’re
not careful.
“Very few employers include heat/
sun exposure in their risk assessment,
so unfortunately a lot of workers have to
make it their own responsibility to stay
safe in the sun.
“While you cannot change when the
sun is going to shine, there are a few
precautions and extra measures you can
take to prioritise your health and wellness
at work on such days.”
1. Stay hydrated
It sounds simple, but the importance
of staying hydrated when it’s hot outside
cannot be emphasised enough. If you
simply wait until you’re thirsty before
you drink water, you may be well beyond
the point you needed to replenish fluids.
Make sure you drink water every 15 to 20
minutes.
22
2. Ditch the caffeine 5. Eat right
Many of us rely on the morning boost a
big cup of coffee provides, but when a heat
wave is on, don’t overdo it on the caffeine
as in excess, it can prompt dehydration.
Don’t forget that energy drinks usually
contain a high dose of it as well, so even
if you think you need a lift to get through
a tough afternoon, try to avoid it when
trying to beat the heat. If you’re working in the heat avoid
a heavy lunch, especially protein-rich
meats. You’re better off with small snacks
and light meals throughout the day, as
your body creates more metabolic heat if
it’s breaking down heavy foods.
3. Dress appropriately
When the heat is particularly gruelling,
it’s critical to keep yourself protected
from the sun’s rays. That means wear
cool, loose-fitting clothing in light-
coloured fabrics that breathe and help to
maintain a healthy body temperature. If
you can wear a hat on the job, make sure
you do so.
And whilst it’s tempting to strip off
clothing when the temperatures are
soaring, leaving your skin exposed to the
sun can do more harm than good, leading
to severe sunburns or heat stroke.
4. Sun cream
Even if you’re properly dressed for
the conditions, it’s impossible not have
some skin exposed, so make sure you
apply a sun cream that has an SPF rating
of at least 30 and keep layering it on
throughout the day.
6. Take shelter
Even if you’re properly dressed for the
conditions and you’ve slathered your body
in sun cream, it’s a good idea to get out of
the sun as often as possible throughout
the day. Take breaks in the shade and,
if possible, move some tasks to covered
areas.
7. Cut back at happy hour
There’s nothing wrong with unwinding
after a long, hot day on the job with an
alcoholic beverage, but you shouldn’t
overdo it during a heatwave as you’ll feel
alcohol’s dehydrating effects the next
day.
8. Pace yourself
Wherever possible, slow down and work
at an even pace. Make sure you know your
limits and don’t ignore the warning signs if
you’re starting to feel exhausted. Warnings
signs of heat exhaustion can include heavy
sweating, rapid pulse, dizziness, goose
bumps, muscle cramps and head ache.
JUL/AUG 2019
locksmithjournal.co.uk
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