This summer, safety should be your number one priority. Be it at the workplace, home, or out on holiday, advises Health, Safety and Wellbeing Manager at OfficeMax, Rima Urangia.
It is no secret that climate-change-led extreme temperatures are a global concern. Like the rest of the world, Aotearoa, New Zealand, is also witnessing hotter summer days and warmer nights in the last few years.
Recent forecasts by climate experts have warned of a more extreme summer for 2023-24 due to strong marine heatwaves reported around the NZ region1.
All this means that Kiwis will need to be extra cautious and more prepared this summer - on land, around water, at the workplace, at school, at home, indoors and outdoors.
“I advocate and educate my colleagues on the importance and awareness of Health and Safety, integrating it seamlessly into everyday life - making it second nature to them, be it in their work or even home environment,” Rima says.
To prevent workplace accidents and care for employee wellbeing, Rima encourages individuals and organizations to gear up for a safer summer.
“There are two major avenues for summer safety – indoor and outdoor,” Rima says.
According to Rima's expert advice, these summer workplace safety tips will help you stay safe:
Whether working in a warehouse, a fully air-conditioned office, or any enclosed area with a roof – you should be aware of:
- Ventilation
- Clothing and gear
- The surrounding hazards (machinery)
- Dehydration
- Exhaustion/Sunstrike