As summer arrives in New Zealand, workplace risks shift with hazards like heat-related illness, sun exposure, and fatigue. Adapt safety strategies to manage these seasonal risks and keep your team safe and productive during the warmer months.
Adapting Workplace Safety for the New Zealand Summer: Managing Seasonal Risks
As we transition into the warmer summer months here in New Zealand, the workplace risk profile shifts significantly. With the increase in temperature, longer daylight hours, and heightened outdoor activities, new hazards emerge that can impact health and safety across all industries. Recognising and proactively managing these seasonal risks is essential for maintaining a safe and productive environment for employees. Let’s dive into some of the unique risks that summer brings and explore strategies to adapt and maintain robust safety standards during this period.
1. Heat-Related Illnesses and Dehydration
One of the most significant risks during the summer is heat-related illness. Workers who spend extended periods outdoors or in warm indoor environments, such as warehouses or kitchens, are particularly vulnerable to conditions like heat exhaustion and heat stroke. These illnesses occur when the body cannot cool itself effectively, often exacerbated by dehydration.
Prevention Strategies:
- Hydration Stations: Ensure that employees have access to fresh, cool drinking water at all times. Encourage regular water breaks, even if employees do not feel thirsty, as thirst can be a delayed signal of dehydration.
- Education: Train employees to recognize early signs of heat-related illnesses—such as excessive sweating, dizziness, or nausea—and know when to seek medical attention.
- Cooling Areas: Create shaded or air-conditioned rest areas for employees to cool down during breaks, especially for those working outdoors.
2. Sun Exposure
New Zealand’s high UV levels, particularly in summer, increase the risk of sunburn and long-term skin damage, including skin cancer. For employees who work outdoors, the risk is especially significant.
Prevention Strategies:
- Sun Protection: Provide appropriate PPE, including broad-brimmed hats, UV-blocking sunglasses, and high-SPF sunscreen. Make sure employees know how and when to apply sunscreen effectively.
- Protective Clothing: Encourage or provide lightweight, long-sleeved clothing designed to block UV rays without causing overheating.
- Shade Structures: Where possible, provide shade in high-traffic outdoor work areas or encourage employees to take breaks in shaded or covered spaces.
3. Fatigue from Longer Days
With daylight lasting well into the evening, workers may be more inclined to engage in after-hours activities, leading to fatigue in the workplace. Fatigue can impair focus, slow reaction times, and increase the likelihood of accidents.
Prevention Strategies:
- Encourage Rest: Remind employees to maintain a healthy work-life balance and get adequate rest, even as social activities ramp up during summer.
- Flexible Schedules: Consider adjusting work hours to cooler parts of the day, especially for outdoor work. Early morning starts and shorter afternoon shifts can help minimise exposure to peak heat and reduce fatigue.
- Monitor Workloads: Be mindful of workloads, especially for tasks requiring high levels of concentration or physical exertion. Fatigued employees may need additional support or modified duties to maintain safety standards.
5. Fire Risks
Higher temperatures, combined with dry conditions, can increase fire risk in certain environments, especially in outdoor areas or near combustible materials.
Prevention Strategies:
- Fire Safety Training: Ensure all employees are trained in fire prevention and emergency response protocols.
- Fire Breaks and Barriers: For outdoor sites, create fire breaks or barriers to minimise the spread of fire in the event one occurs.
- Proper Storage: Store flammable materials away from heat sources, and in compliance with fire safety regulations.
Keeping Safety a Priority Year-Round
Summer in New Zealand is a time to enjoy the outdoors and take advantage of the longer days, but safety must remain a priority in the workplace. By recognising the unique risks that come with the summer season and implementing proactive measures, businesses can help protect their employees and maintain a safe working environment. A season-specific approach to safety, integrated into the broader health and safety plan, ensures that risks are managed effectively throughout the year.
As a safety consultancy, we’re here to support businesses in adapting their safety strategies to the changing seasons. If you’re looking to reassess your risk management approach for the summer months, reach out to us for guidance. Together, we can create a safe and productive work environment, no matter the season.
