As we enter the summer months, it’s important to prioritise our safety and wellbeing in the sun.

Keep reading as we provide essential tips to  help you enjoy the summer season, while minimising the risks of excessive sun exposure and high temperatures.

Staying safe in the sun

When working outdoors during the day, it’s essential to take precautions to protect your skin from the sun. Here are some key practices to follow:

• Wear sunscreen – Use sunscreen with at least SPF30 and UVA and UVB protection. Apply it 30 minutes before going out and reapply generously and frequently, covering all exposed skin.
• Cover up – Opt for loose clothing, long sleeves, and a hat with a wide brim that shades your face, neck, and ears, especially between 11 am and 3 pm when the sun’s rays are strongest.
• Wear sunglasses – Choose sunglasses that conform to the British Standard Mark 12312-1:2013 E.
• Stay hydrated – Drink plenty of water throughout the day to stay hydrated.

During lunchtime breaks, take additional measures to safeguard yourself:

• Apply sunscreen, at least SPF30, 15 mins before going out in the sun.
• Wear a wide-brimmed hat.
• Sit in the shade.
• Drink plenty of water.

Keeping cool during a heatwave

Heatwaves can pose risks such as dehydration, overheating, heat exhaustion and heatstroke. Here are some effective ways to keep cool during a heatwave.

How to keep cool in the office or your home

• Open windows, if safe to do so, to allow fresh air to circulate and cool down the environment.
• Close curtains or blinds that face the sun to prevent excessive heat from entering your home or office.
• Drink plenty of water throughout the day and avoid alcoholic beverages, as they can contribute to dehydration.
• Avoid intense exercise during the hottest parts of the day to prevent overheating.
• Opt for loose-fitting garments made from breathable fabrics to facilitate airflow and reduce heat retention.
• Avoid prolonged periods of sitting by taking regular breaks to stretch your legs and cool down.
• Place a cool wet towel or scarf on the back of your neck to help regulate body temperature.
• Splashing water on your face can provide instant relief and help you feel refreshed.

Lone working and travelling

Regularly communicate and check-in with colleagues, especially if they are working alone, to ensure their safety and wellbeing.

If you are travelling by car:

• Park in shaded areas (if safe to do so).
• Use air conditioning or open the windows (doing both will be less fuel efficient).
• Always take water with you.

We can help

If you’d like further advice on how to keep your employees safe this summer, please email us at [email protected].

References

If you’d like further advice on how to keep your employees safe this summer, please get in touch.

• Met Office – Tips for keeping cool in hot weather
• Gov uk – Beat the heat: keep cool at home checklist
• NHS – Heatwave: how to cope in hot weather