Summer Survival Guide | PK Safety

Summer presents plenty of hazards that require the attention of all workers. While the weather may appear pleasant, excess heat, rising temperatures, and too much sun exposure can put your health and safety at risk when working outdoors. Prepare for the hottest months of the year with our summer survival guide.

Wear Sunscreen to Protect Your Skin

Individuals working outside, regardless of duration, should wear sunscreen to protect themselves from sunburn, skin damage, and potentially skin cancer. It’s best to use sunscreen with a minimum SPF of 30 and reapply every 80 minutes as directed. Workers should also consider covering their skin with long sleeves, pants, and large-brim hats to reduce sun exposure.

Learn how to choose the right sunscreen for your team.

Avoid Heat-Related Illnesses

When working outdoors in the sun, your risk of heat stroke increases. Everyone must prioritize staying cool by taking regular breaks in climate-controlled spaces, avoiding work during the hottest hours of the day, and staying hydrated by drinking plenty of water.

Learn how to protect your team from heat stress and heat-related injuries.

Know the Difference Between Heat Stroke and Heat Exhaustion

It’s everyone’s job to watch out for each other while working outdoors during the summer. Heat stroke and exhaustion can strike suddenly, and recognizing the signs is crucial. Symptoms may include confusion, dizziness, headache, profuse sweating, nausea, and prolonged fatigue. If someone exhibits these symptoms, they need to cool down right away by going into an air-conditioned setting. Cold water should also be made available to those who feel thirsty.

Heat stroke is the most severe heat-related illness, occurring when the body temperature surpasses 106 degrees Fahrenheit for 10 to 15 minutes. 

Learn the difference between heat stroke and heat exhaustion to ensure your workers know the signs to look out for.

Keep Your Head Cool

We lose most of our body heat through our foreheads. That’s why letting air circulate over our heads is important for the heat to escape naturally. But workers must also protect their heads by wearing the appropriate gear and hard hats. Workers can also use a full-brimmed hard hat to shield their eyes from the sun. Using the adjustable strap on hard hats can also increase the airflow. Some come ventilated, for extra air flow. Accessories and hard hat attachments like neck shades, sweat bands, and cooling pads, can help make wearing a hard hat more comfortable during these hotter months. 

Learn how to choose the right accessories to stay cool above the shoulders when working outdoors.

Surviving summer heat is a group effort. The entire team should be trained to prevent heat illness to watch for symptoms when monitoring their health. Everyone must wear the proper gear outdoors to limit their risk of heat stroke. Keep this information in mind all summer to protect yourself and your team from the heat. 

SHOP SUMMER WORKWEAR