Summer Safety Tips for Outdoor Workers in Ireland
Staying safe at work should always be a priority, which means considering the impact of the weather and the time of year when working outdoors. Irish weather may be unpredictable, but the summer months usually bring us more sunshine, longer days, and higher temperatures, which can increase the risks for those working outdoors.
Workers in the agricultural or construction environment, or others who work outside, can face additional risks when working outdoors in the summer, and this is an important factor to consider in your risk assessments and safety guidance. Protecting yourself and your team against the heat and the sun is essential, and we’ll share our top tips here. At ASM, we provide health and safety training all year round, and we offer a range of solutions to drive up health and safety standards in your organisation. We can tailor our training to suit your business or provide standardised training, such as the Safe Pass Training Course, which is mandatory for construction site workers in Ireland.
Safeguarding your Team in the Summer
Although Ireland’s climate is changeable, it is important to consider it and ensure that your outdoor workers are safe. There are many ways to look after your team, and adjustments for the weather should be taken into account when you are planning and when you create your company’s Safety Statement. Our guidance for keeping your outdoor workers safe in the summer includes:
- Protecting against sun exposure. We may not have endless hours of tropical sun here in Ireland, but there are still serious risks from UV rays, which can cause damage to the skin and the eyes. Outdoor workers should be applying sun cream or lotion every two hours, containing at least SPF 30. It is important to remind your team about this and to ensure that they are informed about monitoring their skin and getting any changes or unusual moles checked. Skin cancer is a very common occurrence, and early detection is vital for positive outcomes.
- Think about your clothing. The best way to protect your skin is to stay out of the sun! This may not be possible if you work outdoors, but wearing long sleeves and wide-brimmed hats can help to protect your skin, while sunglasses with good UV protection can safeguard your eyes against harmful effects. You will also find that wearing light, breathable clothing helps you to stay cool in hot weather, and this can help to reduce your risk of heat stroke. You may need to invest in lightweight, breathable PPE, including high visibility clothing and safety helmets and boots that are ventilated for working in hot weather.
- Take breaks. When you’re working in the sun, it’s vital to take regular breaks in the shade to allow yourself to cool off and prevent heat stroke. Sustained working in direct sunlight can be very dangerous and exhausting, so take care to protect yourself against this.
- Drink plenty. Drinking water is the best way to prevent heat exhaustion and dehydration, so you should ensure that you drink plenty throughout the day. Fizzy drinks and caffeinated drinks can have the opposite effect on the body, so if you do not like drinking water, it is a good idea to try flavoured water or squash as an alternative. You should schedule breaks for water every 30 minutes to an hour in hot weather, and drink more frequently than this if you need to. Dehydration causes dizziness and fatigue, and heat exhaustion and heat stroke can be extremely dangerous, so these are very real risks that must be taken into account in order to protect yourself and your team.
- Understand heat stroke and heat exhaustion. Heat exhaustion and heat stroke are more common than many people think and can be dangerous and even fatal if not taken seriously. You should ensure that you and those you work with are aware of the signs of heat exhaustion, including headaches, nausea, weakness, confusion and dizziness. You may notice profuse sweating, but if the condition has become more serious, you may not be sweating at all. You should always have a trained first aider available, who will know and be able to recognise the signs of heat exhaustion and heat stroke and can help to mitigate these to keep you and your team safer. Do not be tempted to ignore the symptoms of heat exhaustion or to ‘push through it’, as it can progress quickly and become a serious risk.
- Consider allergies. Hayfever and other allergies can be extremely frustrating and are more likely to occur in the summer. The high pollen levels and long grass can also mean an increase in insects, increasing the risk of bites. A good insect repellent can be a game changer in hot weather, and antihistamines are often the most effective way to treat allergies. You may find that wearing long clothing and gloves helps to minimise contact with plants and insects, which will reduce the risk of allergies and bites.
- Prepare yourself for working in hot weather. Being well prepared can reduce the risks of working in hot weather, and checking the forecasts regularly can enable you to set yourself up to stay safe at work. You should make and stick to a schedule of regular breaks and ensure that information about safe working in the heat is shared with your whole team. Working at high temperatures can also impact morale and increase the likelihood of burnout and exhaustion. Good health and safety training can help you to make the best choices here, enabling you to safeguard your physical and mental health against the additional risks that arise when working in the summertime.
These precautions will help to protect you and your team when working outdoors in the summer, and this can also safeguard your reputation and your business interests.
Safety Training Courses in Ireland
At ASM, we provide high-quality Health and Safety training courses in Ireland, including First Aid training, Safe Pass training and specialised high-risk training courses that are industry-specific. We also have a team of experienced Health and Safety Consultants who can carry out audits, gap analyses and risk assessments in your organisation.
Contact our Health and Safety Consultants in Ireland to discover how we can help you to protect your business and your team.
