Staying Safe This Summer: Essential Tips for 2025

Summer is a season for sunshine, holidays, and outdoor activities—but it also brings unique health and safety challenges for businesses and workers alike. With rising temperatures, longer daylight hours, and seasonal events in full swing, it's crucial that safety stays at the top of your agenda.

Whether you're managing a construction site, a care setting, an event venue, or even a small office, here’s how to keep your team and business safe throughout summer 2025.

1. Beat the Heat: Managing Heat Stress and Sun Exposure

Hot weather increases the risk of heat exhaustion, dehydration, and sunstroke—particularly for those working outdoors or in poorly ventilated spaces.

Key actions:

• Reschedule strenuous tasks to cooler times of day (early morning/late afternoon)

• Ensure plenty of hydration stations on site

• Encourage lightweight, breathable PPE where possible

• Provide shaded rest areas

• Educate teams on recognising heat-related symptoms (confusion, dizziness, nausea)

Legal reminder: Under the Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992, employers must ensure working environments are maintained at a reasonable temperature.

2. Manage Summer-Specific Hazards

From insect bites and allergies to increased risk of food poisoning at events and BBQs, summer can introduce unusual safety concerns.

Precautions to consider:

• Apply insect control measures in outdoor workspaces

• Store food safely and ensure cold chain compliance at summer events

• Monitor for allergic reactions to pollen or insect stings

• Keep first aid kits fully stocked with antihistamines and sunburn treatment

Top tip: Conduct a seasonal risk assessment to identify temporary hazards and plan your response.

3. Safety for Outdoor Work and Events

More events, more temporary staff, and more outdoor activities mean greater exposure to slips, trips, falls, and crowd risks.

Checklist for safe summer operations:

• Ensure temporary structures (tents, stages) are risk-assessed and secured

• Provide clear signage for emergency exits and first aid points

• Check cables and equipment are protected from weather and trip hazards

• Deliver induction briefings to seasonal or temporary staff

Planning an event? Our team can help with Event Risk Assessments, pre-show safety checklists, and on-site inspections.

4. Consider Summer Travel and Driving Risks

With more people travelling, the risk of accidents due to tiredness, glare, and breakdowns increases—especially for fleet drivers or those making long site visits.

Key controls:

• Encourage frequent breaks during long journeys

• Provide UV glare visors or sunglasses with proper standards

• Remind drivers to check coolant, oil, and tyre pressures

• Review your driving for work policy

Note: Employers have a duty under HSE’s Driving at Work guidance to manage occupational road risk.

5. Stay Safe Indoors Too

Even office-based businesses aren't exempt from summer safety concerns.

• Monitor indoor temperatures and encourage use of fans or ventilation

• Watch for electrical overload from added cooling devices

• Consider wellbeing breaks during heatwaves

• Review first aid provision if staff are off on annual leave

Wellbeing idea: Encourage team members to take time outdoors during breaks—it boosts morale, vitamin D, and overall productivity.

6. Don’t Overlook Mental Health

Summer can bring emotional challenges—especially for staff with children off school, social anxiety, or seasonal depression.

How to support your team:

• Offer flexible working where possible

• Promote EAPs or counselling services

• Encourage a positive holiday leave culture

• Check in regularly with lone workers or those working remotely

Mental health is a year-round responsibility. Summer’s no exception.

Final Thoughts

Summer is a time to enjoy, recharge, and make great memories—but not at the expense of safety.

Smart businesses prepare in advance, communicate clearly, and adapt working practices to match the season’s unique demands. Whether you’re on a rooftop, in a field, or behind a desk, remember:

Safety doesn’t take a holiday.

Need help with summer safety planning?
From site-specific risk assessments to toolbox talks and training, Supply Me Safety is here to support you all summer long.