Page 1131 - Xmo Strata - Bulletin Archive

Health, Safety & Environmental Bulletin No 421

31 July 2014

Hot Weather

Please see enclosed a self-explanatory bulletin that was shared with us by JCI.

The weather has been hot over the past few weeks, with some parts of the country reaching 32 degrees,
and (at the time of writing) this hot weather is forecast to continue into early August.

Although the sunny weather is good if you’re on holiday or sitting in your garden, it’s not so nice
having to work and it can be hazardous. Working in extreme temperatures can cause dehydration,
sunstroke or sunburn (leading to skin cancer), as well as bringing out insects (bees or wasps) that can
be a hazardous distraction.

Over exposure to the sun is the biggest cause of skin cancer, the fifth most common cancer in the UK.
In 2011, there were 2,209 deaths from malignant melanoma and 585 deaths from non-malignant
melanoma skin cancers in the UK.

That old saying that prevention is better than the cure could never be more truthful, so how do we
prevent it?
• Stay in the shade between 11am-3pm if possible.
• Make sure you never burn, don’t wait on your mate telling you that your “getting a bit red”.
• Always cover up with a long sleeved shirt (an Xmo site rule), hard hat to protect your head,
gloves to protect the hands and wraparound sunglasses / tinted safety glasses. Our rules don’t
allow the wearing of T-shirts or shorts!
• Always use Factor 15+ sunscreen on all exposed skin. Re-apply every 2 hours or more
frequently if rubbed, washed or sweated off.
• Drink plenty of fluids to avoid dehydration.

The presence of flying insects can also be a significant problem, as they become attracted to the high
visibility clothing worn. Always check the area you are working in for insect or vermin nests, and if
necessary contact your line manager to have the nests professionally removed before working in the
area – never try to move a nest yourself, or work near one.

We are all a product of learning. Every skill we have; everything we know; everything we believe and everything we do has
been learned throughout the course of our lives. Some of us learn best by studying graphs and charts, some through visual
presentations, and some by reading detailed text books. It is important that we receive information in a format that works
for us as individuals! That’s why at Xmo Strata we use a variety of communication platforms such as bulletins, newsletters,
videos etc. However, if you feel there is a better way for us to share health and safety information, please let us know.
Ultimately, your safety is in your hands – but we will do all we can to keep you well informed!