Do you employ outdoor employees at your business? No matter how busy work demands become, keeping your employees safe during the summer should always be a top priority. As an employer, it’s your responsibility to ensure your workers are protected when the temperatures rise. Here are three best practices for maintaining your employees’ health and safety over the summer:
Provide ample resources.
During extreme temperatures, employers are expected to supply vital resources for employees, including water, sunscreen, sun-protective gear (such as eyeglasses and helmets that block out the sun), and an onsite emergency kit. In some cases, it may even be necessary to assemble tents for shade. Employees should understand the proper usage of personal protective equipment (PPE) and its role in summer safety, and most importantly, feel comfortable utilizing the resources available to them on the job. It’s essential to continually inform managers about safety measures and precautions that should be implemented when managing outdoor employees during the summer.
Require regular breaks.
Regular breaks during shifts should always be encouraged, but they are especially crucial when working in hot temperatures. Requiring employees to take designated 15-minute and 30-minute breaks will allow their bodies to cool down and keep their body temperature regulated, which is key to preventing heat-related illnesses. It’s also important to encourage hydration and make sure employees are taking adequate lunch breaks on their shifts. Breaks provide employees with a chance to recharge so they can return to the job with more energy and less fatigue.
Conduct employee safety training.
When it comes to preventing illness from heat overexposure, knowledge is power. Because your employees are often the first line of defense for identifying signs of heat illness in coworkers, it’s critical to educate them about how to spot signs of health issues that can occur in extreme heat. There are many valuable training tools and resources provided by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) that can be used to educate staff about the dangers of heat overexposure. By making this education a core part of your onboarding and training process, your employees will be better prepared to handle potentially dangerous working conditions during the hottest times of the year.
By following these three practices, you’ll maintain your team’s health and safety over the summer while staying productive and keeping morale high.
Is your business in need of additional workers this summer?
Ensure your organization has the staffing coverage you need this summer to run your business as efficiently as possible by partnering with a trusted staffing firm like HH Staffing!
Until Next Time,
Your Staffing Partner, Darrin Rohr- President, CEO, and Chief Servant
Current owner of HH Staffing and Former Chief HR Officer for several successful Multinational Fortune 500 Companies. Brings a fresh perspective from decades of experience creating Great Workplace Cultures by building high-performance teams while leading and managing people from all different backgrounds. HH Staffing is headquartered in Sarasota, Florida, and is uniquely positioned to serve both local and national clients.
