Where I am located near Pittsburgh, PA, we have been experiencing some exceptionally hot days!

While I love summer, the sunshine and longer days, I also recognize the serious safety concerns for employees, especially those working in outdoor, warehouse, manufacturing, and field-based roles. If you're not proactively addressing summer safety, you're not only risking employee health but also exposing your business to liability, turnover, and compliance violations.

As an employer, it’s not just about offering water coolers and shaded areas. It’s about understanding your responsibilities, educating your workforce, and implementing policies before a preventable emergency occurs.

Heat-Related Illness Is No Small Risk

Every year, thousands of workers suffer from heat exhaustion, dehydration, or even heat stroke on the job.

According to OSHA:

• Heat illness can occur in indoor or outdoor environments, especially where airflow is restricted.

• Workers in construction, warehousing, landscaping, and manufacturing are at high risk.

• Symptoms can appear suddenly—often in quiet employees who “don’t want to be a bother.”

Employers have a legal duty to provide a safe workplace, which includes protection against known heat hazards.

Summer Safety Best Practices for Employers

To reduce liability and keep your team safe, here’s what HR leaders and supervisors should implement:

1. Hydration Protocols

Ensure clean, cool water is readily accessible. Encourage breaks to hydrate—don’t assume employees will ask for them.

Pro Tip: Implement a “hydrate before you operate” message during morning safety huddles.

2. Scheduled Cooling Breaks

Heat stress builds throughout the day. Offer frequent shaded or air-conditioned breaks, especially during peak heat hours (10 AM – 4 PM).

3. Adjust Scheduling When Possible

Reschedule strenuous tasks for early morning or evening hours. Rotate high-heat tasks and avoid pushing productivity at the expense of safety.

4. Sun Protection and PPE

Provide or encourage the use of wide-brimmed hats, sunscreen, and breathable clothing for outdoor workers to protect them from the sun. Consider cooling towels or moisture-wicking uniforms.

5. Emergency Readiness

Train supervisors and other employees to recognize signs of heat-related illness:

• Dizziness

• Rapid heartbeat

• Confusion

• Cramps or vomiting

Ensure every team knows when and how to respond, as well as when to call 911.

6. OSHA Compliance and Safety Training

Educate your workforce about the prevention, signs, and first aid for heat illness. Document your policies and incorporate them into your safety onboarding process.

Safety Isn’t Seasonal—It’s Cultural

Summer heat risks may be temporary, but your culture of safety should be a year-round commitment. When employees know their well-being matters, they’re more likely to:

• Speak up when something feels off

• Look out for teammates

• Stay loyal and engaged in their roles

This is especially critical in high-turnover industries where morale and trust are fragile.

How Life Force Wellness Can Help

At Life Force Wellness, we offer engaging, actionable workshops that equip your employees—and your leaders—with the knowledge to stay safe and well on the job.

Our Heat Safety & Workplace Wellness Trainings include:

• OSHA-aligned safety practices

• Hydration and nutrition strategies

• Stress and fatigue recognition

• Mental health and communication skills during peak season pressure

• Custom safety messaging that aligns with your policies

We also provide:

• Seasonal wellness campaigns

• Supervisor training on recognizing burnout and physical distress

• Employee education around self-advocacy, hydration, and recovery

Whether your team is in the field, the warehouse, or the office, we can help you create a safety-first culture without the boring slide decks.

Ready to reduce your risk and protect your people?
Let’s build a safety plan that works before the heat wave hits.