Summer Safety Toolkit: Must have PPE when temperatures soar

As temperatures in the UK begin to grow hotter and more unpredictable, businesses must adapt quickly to protect their workforce from the mounting risks of working in high temperatures. 

The summer of 2024 saw multiple heat alerts issued nationwide, and early forecasts for 2025 suggest more of the same, if not worse. Managing heat exposure isn’t just about comfort for industries like construction, facilities management, logistics, and utilities, where outdoor or non-climate-controlled environments are the norm; it’s about compliance, productivity, and, most critically, worker safety.

At Stronghold Global, we understand that PPE isn’t one-size-fits-all (especially when the mercury rises). That’s why we’ve developed a comprehensive Summer Safety Toolkit featuring essential personal protective equipment (PPE) and on-site solutions designed to help your team work smarter, safer, and cooler through the warmest months of the year.

Understanding the Risks of Working in Heat
Before diving into the toolkit, it’s crucial to acknowledge heat’s growing impact on UK workers’ health and safety. Prolonged exposure to high temperatures can lead to heat stress, which occurs when the body can no longer regulate its internal temperature. This condition can manifest in symptoms like confusion, dizziness, fatigue, nausea, and severe loss of consciousness.

According to the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), outdoor workers are particularly vulnerable to heat-related illnesses, especially when tasks are physically demanding. Additionally, dehydration, glare, and poor ventilation can exacerbate risks, contributing to accidents, decreased performance, and even long-term health issues. Employers have a legal and moral duty to mitigate these risks. The correct PPE plays a central role. Beyond the immediate dangers, heat-related illnesses can have long-term health consequences, affecting cardiovascular health, kidney function, and cognitive abilities. These long-term impacts affect the individual worker and can lead to increased healthcare costs and decreased workforce participation.

Furthermore, the economic impact of heat stress should not be underestimated: reduced productivity due to fatigue and discomfort, increased absenteeism due to illness, and the potential for costly accidents all drain resources. Investing in proper summer PPE is not just a matter of compliance; it’s a sound business decision protecting your workforce and bottom line.

Building the Ultimate Summer Safety Toolkit
Summer PPE aims to strike a balance between protection and comfort. Workers still need high-visibility clothing, cut protection, and eye safety, but they also need gear that supports thermoregulation and airflow. Here’s how to build your team’s summer toolkit from the ground up:

1. Lightweight, Breathable High-Visibility Workwear
Standard hi-vis jackets and trousers can become stifling in the heat, often leading to workers removing layers and unintentionally compromising safety. Modern summer-specific high-vis clothing is designed to maintain EN ISO 20471 compliance while using lightweight, moisture-wicking fabrics that support airflow and reduce overheating.

Options like short-sleeved polos with mesh side panels, ventilated trousers, and stretchable fabrics allow workers to move while staying visible and cool. Reflective tape that doesn’t trap heat is also a valuable addition to consider. Beyond the fabric itself, the design of the garment is crucial. Look for clothing with strategically placed vents to maximise airflow and those that offer a looser, more comfortable fit. Furthermore, consider incorporating features like built-in sun protection (UPF rating) into the fabric to provide another layer of defence against the sun’s harmful rays.

2. UV-Protective Eyewear for Glare and Eye Safety
Glare from reflective surfaces and machinery can be dangerous, especially when precision and visibility are critical. Summer eye protection should offer UV400-rated lenses that filter both UVA and UVB rays. These lenses should also be anti-fog and scratch-resistant for durability in challenging site conditions.

Wraparound designs with a snug fit also help reduce the risk of debris or wind-blown dust entering the eyes, providing full-spectrum protection in sunny, dusty environments. The importance of proper lens tint should also be considered. While clear lenses offer the best visibility in low-light conditions, tinted lenses, such as those with a grey or amber tint, can significantly reduce glare and improve visual acuity in bright sunlight. Polarised lenses are another excellent option for minimising glare reflected off surfaces like water or metal.

3. Cooling Headgear and Hard Hat Accessories
Hard hats are essential on most sites. However, in the summer months, they can become heat traps. Helmet liners and sweatbands are small but powerful upgrades that can reduce the risk of overheating. Evaporative cooling pads and neck shades that attach directly to helmets can keep workers up to 10°C cooler while also protecting the neck from sunburn (a common but overlooked hazard).

Beyond simple accessories, consider hard hats made with ventilated shells to promote airflow and reduce heat buildup. Some innovative hard hats even incorporate built-in cooling systems, such as small fans powered by rechargeable batteries, to provide continuous cooling. Regular cleaning of hard hats is also essential to prevent the buildup of sweat and dirt, which reduces their effectiveness and contributes to discomfort.

4. Heat-Ready Hand Protection
Cut-resistant gloves remain a must-have, even in summer. However, many traditional gloves become uncomfortable or slick with sweat. The latest glove technologies offer breathable mesh backs, moisture-wicking liners, and improved grip for sweaty or oily conditions.

At Stronghold Global, we recommend lightweight, summer-appropriate gloves like the GRIPPS® tethered glove range, which combines breathability with essential tether points for working at height. This ensures that your team can maintain a secure grip even in peak temperatures, reducing heat stress and drop hazards. Choosing the right glove material is also crucial. Leather gloves can be durable but tend to be less breathable than synthetic alternatives. Nitrile-coated gloves offer excellent grip and chemical resistance while still allowing for reasonable breathability. Ultimately, the best choice depends on the specific tasks and environmental conditions.

5. Hydration and Cooling Stations
Beyond personal gear, environmental support is vital in keeping your team safe. Dehydration is one of the first signs of heat exhaustion, so readily available clean water is non-negotiable. Mobile hydration stations or refillable cooler jugs placed strategically across your site help encourage frequent water breaks.

Consider investing in shaded rest areas and portable cooling fans for more intensive tasks or long-duration shifts. Stronghold Global also offers tailored Hydration & Recovery Kits, which include electrolyte supplies, shaded canopies, and misting fans to turn any break area into a cooling refuge. These hydration stations should be easily accessible and clearly marked. Providing a variety of beverages, including water, electrolyte drinks, and even sugar-free options, can encourage workers to stay hydrated. Regular reminders to drink water throughout the day and educational materials on the signs and symptoms of dehydration can further promote a culture of hydration safety.

The Overlooked Summer Risk: Dropped Tools in Hot Conditions
Workers’ grip weakens as they become fatigued and sweaty, significantly increasing the risk of dropped tools, particularly when working at height. Summer often sees a spike in dropped object incidents, making tool tethering more important than ever.

Our GRIPPS® tethering solutions are designed to be lightweight, breathable, and easy to integrate with existing gear. They ensure tools stay secure without adding bulk or discomfort. This is especially critical for roofers, scaffolders, and maintenance crews working on elevated platforms. Implementing a comprehensive dropped object prevention program, including regular inspections of tethering equipment and training on proper usage, is essential to maximising safety. Furthermore, consider using tool lanyards with swivel connectors to prevent tangling and improve manoeuvrability.

Why Early Preparation Matters
Heatwaves in the UK are becoming less predictable and more intense. Waiting until mid-summer to react can leave your team exposed and scrambling for solutions. Equipping your workforce with appropriate summer PPE reduces accident risks, improves worker comfort, and demonstrates a strong commitment to safety, well-being, and compliance. This proactive approach also allows you to secure the necessary PPE supplies before demand surges, potentially avoiding delays and price increases. Furthermore, early preparation provides ample time to train workers on properly using and maintaining their summer PPE, ensuring they are fully equipped to work safely in hot conditions.

Beyond the immediate benefits, demonstrating a commitment to worker safety can also improve employee morale, reduce staff turnover, and enhance your company’s reputation. In today’s competitive labour market, attracting and retaining skilled workers is crucial. A strong safety culture can be a significant differentiator.

Let’s build a safer Summer together
Stronghold Global is here to help you design the ideal summer setup for your workforce. From breathable PPE to on-site hydration and tool safety systems, our Summer Safety Toolkit is ready to be customised for your industry and work environment.

Contact Stronghold Global today to start planning your site’s PPE upgrade for when the next heatwave hits. We can help you develop a comprehensive summer safety plan that addresses all aspects of heat stress prevention, from PPE selection to hydration strategies and emergency response procedures. Please don’t wait until it’s too late. Invest in the safety and well-being of your workforce today and ensure a productive and healthy season.

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