Summer offers a host of fun outdoor activities — hiking, swimming, cookouts, camping, and more. But extra time outside also poses potential health risks, like dehydration, sunburns, bug bites, and heat exhaustion. Additionally, many union members work in the elements every day.
As part of your organization’s wellness program, offer employees and members seasonal safety tips. Here’s are considerations for outdoor safety to get you started.
Outdoor summer safety
Don’t forget safety while working outside or enjoying the sun this season. Read on for some common summer hazards and prevention tips.
Sun safety
As the most common of all cancer types, skin cancer affects more than 3 million people annually. Practice proper sun safety as prevention. Tips include:
- Apply broad-spectrum SPF 30+ sunscreen 30 minutes before sun exposure.
- Reapply sunscreen every two hours, or more frequently when swimming or sweating.
- Seek shade during peak UV hours (10 a.m. to 4 p.m.).
- Wear protective clothing including wide-brimmed hats and UV-blocking sunglasses.
- Choose tightly woven fabrics in darker colors for maximum protection.
UV rays can penetrate clouds and reflect off surfaces like water, sand, and concrete, increasing exposure risk even on overcast days.
Bug bite prevention
Insects and other pests can transmit serious diseases, including Lyme disease, West Nile virus, and Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever. Prevention strategies significantly reduce the risk of bites and potential illness. They include:
- Use EPA-registered insect repellents containing DEET, picaridin, or lemon eucalyptus oil.
- Wear long sleeves and pants when possible, especially during dawn and dusk hours.
- Choose light-colored clothing to make ticks more visible.
- When spending time camping or hiking, treat clothing and gear with permethrin-based products.
- Perform thorough tick checks after outdoor activities, paying special attention to hairline, armpits, and groin areas.
If you discover an attached tick, remove it promptly using fine-tipped tweezers, grasping close to the skin and pulling straight up with steady pressure.
Heat safety
For every hour of activity, people can lose up to 2 quarts of fluid, according to Johns Hopkins Medicine. Exercising in the heat increases the risk for dehydration, as well as heat cramps, heat exhaustion, or even heat stroke.
Follow these safety tips to avoid dehydration and heat-related illness:
- Hydrate before going outside, during outside activity, and even after you’re back indoors for the day.
- Schedule activities during the cooler morning or evening hours.
- Start slowly and gradually increase intensity, especially early in the season.
- Take frequent breaks in shaded areas.
- Wear lightweight, moisture-wicking clothing in light colors.
- Listen to your body and stop activity if you experience nausea, confusion, or excessive fatigue.
Heat exhaustion and heat stroke represent medical emergencies requiring immediate attention. Know the warning signs and seek help if symptoms appear.
Building a culture of safety
While offering seasonal safety tips shows you care, a bulletin on the company intranet or tips via email are easy to ignore. Consider printing your safety tips and packaging them with company branded safety swag, such as:
- Sunglasses
- SPF shirts and hats
- Sunscreen
- Bug spray
- Water bottles
The items can be used as safety tools, draw attention to the tips, and provide your employees with a tangible reminder that you care for their wellbeing, even when they’re not in the workplace.
