4 Summer Workplace Safety Tips
07/06/17 By Dana Szymkowiak
Summer has finally arrived and so has the heat. For many regions of the U.S. this also means warmer than usual temperatures (especially here in Buffalo). For those that are working outside this summer there are many precautions that should be taken by employers as well as employees to remain safe this summer.
- Always dress appropriately – wear lighter, breathable clothes so you can allow for fresh air to go over your skin. Modern UV resistant fabrics are fantastic at keeping out the sun and keeping cool. If you are wearing shorts or t-shirts please remember to wear sunscreen.
- Drink plenty of fluids – it is so easy to become dehydrated when you are not replacing the fluid that you are losing when you are outside and sweating on the job. If you don’t drink enough fluids when you’re exercising vigorously and perspiring heavily, you may end up with a heat injury, ranging in severity from mild heat cramps to heat exhaustion or potentially life-threatening heatstroke.
Don’t skip the bug spray – with Zika being a top concern (especially for pregnant women), you should never spend too much time outside without spraying yourself first with a trusted insect repellent. For tips on how to effectively and safely apply insect repellent feel free to check out our other blog post by clicking here. If you do happen to get stung or bit by a bug, be sure to care for the wound with a sting relief wipe to help the itching or pain.- Look after one another – if you see another coworker looking dehydrated, getting bit up by bugs or without a hat and sunscreen make sure that you help them out. The last thing anyone wants to see is a member of their crew suffer from the summer conditions. Some easy signs or symptoms include: headache, dizziness, thirst, nausea, weakness, wet skin, confusion, not sweating, or collapse.
Be smart this summer with these tips to beat the heat when working outdoors. Safetec manufactures the first aid products that safetey managers need and want – we can offer them to you to distribute at an affordable price point click here to find out more!