The summer months are just ahead and the weather is finally cheering up. But be careful; the lovely weather also means risks at work such as heat-exhaustion, sunstroke and dehydration.
That's why it is important that employees protect themselves adequately against heat and sunshine. As an employee, you are also responsible for taking preventative measures; providing cold drinks, installing a cooling system and adapting schedules and clothing requirements.
Below, you will find a few tips and an overview of all you need to provide protection against the sun and heat.
Keep your head cool
Sun protection begins with protecting your head, as this is the most vulnerable and exposed part of your body. Here, you can read all about the various types of head protection which will ensure that you can work comfortably and safely even on the hottest days.
- Coolcap headcool smart : the Cooling cap keeps the head cool using the water evaporation method. You fill the cap with a little water and it will cool your head for the full working day.
- Caps with a neck flap: these caps offer protection against sunburn on your neck and throat and help your body to regulate its temperature by shading the face and neck.
- Safety helmets with ventilation holes: these helmets ensure good airflow and prevent overheating. The ventilation system ensures comfort.
- Sweatband cooling: the sweatband protects against heat and heat stress by means of an evaporating cooling material. It has a cooling effect on the wearer's head for 10 hours.
- A cooling and breathable head cover: this head cover can be activated quickly by holding it underwater for a minute; it offers cooling when working in hot conditions. You secure it to your helmet with the hooks on the headband and you can reactivate when needed by holding it underwater again.
Avoid eye irritation
A good, suitable pair of safety sunglasses is essential to protect the eyes against harmful UV rays and bright sunlight, which can potentially lead to eye tiredness and irritation.
These safety glasses with an in/out PC lens even have a special coating that darkens the lens in bright light and makes it clearer when the light dims.
Cover your skin
Clothing is an important element for protecting yourself against the sun. You are advised to choose lightweight, breathable clothing. It is also smart to wear clothes that are not too tight so that air can circulate freely and your skin can breathe. If you must work in the full sun, you are advised to cover your skin. UV-proof clothing is a good solution here.
The colour of your clothing can make a difference too. Light coloured clothing absorbs less heat than dark clothing and you will heat up less quickly. Moreover, clothing made of polyester is cooler because it lets moisture pass through (and repels it again). Cotton, by contrast, absorbs and holds onto moisture, making it less comfortable in hot weather. The disadvantage of polyester is that it absorbs odours more readily. An ideal mix is 50% polyester and 50% cotton.
Provide extra cooling
As well as ordinary clothing, it is sometimes necessary to wear cool vests, which offer additional refreshment. A cool vest prevents heat stress and tiredness and cools the body.
- Cool vests that work on the basis of evaporation (cool vest bodycool smart) cool you down to 15°C under the ambient temperature. The cool effect can last from 8 to 72 hours, depending on the ambient temperature, air humidity and the degree of air flow around the body. They work most effectively in low air humidity where there is adequate air flow; ideal for working outdoors. To activate the vest, fill it with water.
- Vests with interchangeable cooling elements (cool vest bodycool pro) are available in three different versions and provide constant cooling, depending on the needs of the workplace (29°C, 21°C and 15°C); they are most suitable for short periods of work at locations with little air flow.
- The CoolOver vest works according to the same principle as vests with interchangeable cool elements. Here, you place the vest itself (and not the elements) in the fridge or freezer. The vest offers cool comfort and protects against heatstroke for a maximum of three hours, even during demanding activities in high-temperature environments.
You can also stay nice and fresh with this cooling towel during hot sunny days. The advanced PVA material retains water without becoming heavy and the super-evaporation process makes it feel much cooler than the air. You just need to make the towel wet to experience the cooling effect.
Choose shoes made of microfibre, with perforations
A selection of our shoes are breathable due to perforations and are made of lightweight materials such as microfibre and mesh. Because the sweat can evaporate, the level of comfort is increased and the risk of overheating and the corresponding foot problems are reduced. Safety sandals are also a good option; these are often open, allowing the air to circulate.
Still suffering from smelly or sweaty feet? The shoefresh cleans and dries shoes in 30 minutes. The system also kills bacteria and mould and eliminates odours.
Or choose the disinfectant spray Deo Schoenen, which disinfects and freshens up your shoes.
Protect your skin
If you work outdoors, it is important to protect yourself against the damaging solar rays and prevent skin damage or even cancer. Sun cream provides protection against UVA and UVB rays but also UVC rays too. Choose a tube, spray or lip balm to protect your skin.
In the summer, there are a lot more insects about, including ticks and mosquitoes. So consider a soothing gel for insect bites and tick pincers or a tick twister.
Stay hydrated
It is important to stay hydrated, particularly on hot days when your body needs more fluid. Drinking sufficient water is vital to regulate your body temperature. A hydration backpack ensures that you can drink enough while you are at work. Even when it is full, this backpack is comfortable to wear.
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