How to Stay Healthy When Working Outside in the Summer

The British weather can provide all sorts of challenges for those working outdoors, whether that’s on a personal or business basis. Driving wind and rain can be followed by glorious sunshine within a matter of days or even hours. In the summer months, heat waves almost certainly cause chaos in the UK. Average temperatures continue to rise, so we can expect those hot summer days to become even more troublesome. As this happens, individuals and professionals who work outdoors, such as construction workers and farmers, need to be prepared for the changing climate and working conditions. What are the challenges and how can you ensure you stay healthy when working outside in the summer?

Hydration

Hydration, or lack of it, is perhaps the biggest threat to people working outdoors in hot and sunny conditions. Workers and employers alike need to ensure consistent hydration throughout the day to maintain energy levels. Dehydration can severely impact your work and concentration in the short term, and your health in the long term – so ensure you make it a priority, particularly during and after hot days under the sun.

Even if you are just working in your own garden, it’s easy to get engrossed and forget how long it is since you had that last slurp of water!

According to the HSE (Health and Safety Executive), when working hard in heat stress conditions, employees should consume around half a pint of cool water every 15 minutes. That probably is not practical in most situations, so drinking considerably more before work commences and at break times is essential.

Correct workwear

What people wear to work outdoors in summer can often be inappropriate for the conditions. In most instances, because of our changing weather, adopting a layered approach to clothing is the most sensible option providing items of clothing are easily removable.

On hot and sunny days avoid wearing anything too exposing or too thick. If you wear too many unremovable layers or clothes that are too thick – you will sweat more and increase the risk of dehydration or heatstroke.

If you are working at home, it is easy to pop indoors and change your clothing. But if you are outdoors because of your job, a lot more thought needs to be given to what you are wearing.

Choose workwear that suits your needs and that will not impact your job performance but will help ensure you stay healthy when working outside.

Sunscreen

Bare skin, especially areas that don’t see sunlight very often, can burn very easily and severely.

Those working outdoors in summer should be wearing sunscreen on all exposed areas of skin. This will help to reduce the likelihood of sunburn which can increase the chances of skin cancer and other skin-related issues.

You certainly want to avoid repeated sunburn, so ensure that you stock up on sunscreen and reapply as necessary throughout the day to keep your protection levels up.

The HSE recognises that construction workers are an at-risk group when it comes to sun damage and non-melanoma skin cancer (NMSC). The first sign of a problem is often a lump or patch on the skin that doesn’t heal after a few weeks. If you are concerned, see a doctor as soon as possible. Most early-stage NMSC lesions can be removed successfully with outpatient surgery.

Accessories

Accessories are also very important for outdoor workers to avoid damage from the sun. Proper sunglasses will ensure that your eyes aren’t too strained and should protect them from UV light which can damage your eyes over time.

Moorfields Eye Hospital stresses that sun damage can cause irreversible damage to your eyes and even lead to blindness.

It is also important to ensure you purchase good quality sunglasses rather than ‘fake’ sunglasses that are designed for effect rather than protection for your eyes. Always purchase from a reputable retailer, ensure they carry a CE mark and look for the UV 400 mark.

Wearing a cap or hat will do a similar job and keep part of your face in shade throughout the day – again useful to reduce the chance of sunburn or heatstroke.

While employers are not required to provide sunscreen, they should nonetheless provide workers with appropriate clothing, hats and eyewear if they are exposed to the sun for long periods of work to help ensure they stay healthy when working outside.

Take regular breaks

Employers should also encourage regular breaks to allow workers to have a break from the sun so they can rehydrate and reapply sunscreen. Proper shelter or shade should be provided for these purposes.

If you’re concerned about your working conditions then speak to your employer.