For any wearer of PPE, working outside is demanding. But as things warm up and the cooler months disappear, maintaining health, safety and well-being can be even more of a challenge.
So how can you keep safe and comfortable when working in hot weather? In this blog, we’ll:
Safety boots are built to be durable and protective, but this can mean they trap heat, and wearing them 8+ hours a day in hot conditions can cause serious well-being and health issues. They include:
It's an obvious one, but also one that any safety boot wearer will tell you can be really unpleasant. Hot feet are uncomfortable, painful and tingly, plus, repeated overheating can lead to nerve damage, which can cause feet to become numb - and this is often irreversible.
Hot feet sweat more, creating a damp inner-boot environment. This encourages bacterial and fungal infections like athlete’s foot, and furthermore, wet skin is more vulnerable because it’s softer, so any lining or stitching that rubs on it - particularly with ill-fitting boots - can lead to blisters and wounds.
Heat can cause blood vessels in the feet to dilate, particularly when the feet are active all day, and this can result in swelling and reduced circulation. This in turn can cause greater discomfort, because footwear will start to feel tighter the more the feet expand.
When your feet are hot, it's harder to concentrate, and this reduced focus can only increase the risk of accidents in a safety role.
Given all of these factors, choosing work boots with heat-reducing innovation is a must. So, what should you look for?
Footwear created with breathable material allows air in and out to prevent heat build-up. Take the Torque safety hiker from V12 - it uses an advanced microfibre mesh material (pictured above) that helps feet stay cool by letting warm air out.
A boot with a waterproof lining can be great to keep feet dry, but many of these linings - or 'booties' - stop air getting in or out too.
If you need waterproof boots, it's important to look for ones where the membrane not only acts as a barrier to water, but allows heat and sweat to escape so feet stay cool.
The Lynx from V12 Footwear is a great example of a boot boasting this type of breathable technology. It features the 100% recyclable Sympatex waterproof lining - a membrane which has been developed with clever microscopic cooling holes which are small enough to stop water getting in, but large enough to let sweat and moisture vapour out. (see image)
You can learn more about this innovative lining and the award-winning carbon neutral Lynx safety hiker here.
Adjusting how you lace your boots can also influence your comfort in the summer months. Opting for a looser lacing method that still provides ample support is a good move. Techniques like skip lacing - also referred to as ‘pressure lacing’ - are worth trying; they can strategically reduce pressure points on swollen feet and enhance ventilation. You can learn how to do this below:
Innovative insoles shouldn't just be for cushioning – they should actively cool the foot. Take V12’s Energyse II insoles – they feature heel pumps that push air around the foot with each step, cooling the foot and reducing the heat.
Did you know that if you’re only mildly dehydrated, you’re 114% more likely to make an error. Did you also know that this is similar to drinking low levels of alcohol? When you think about individuals who might be operating machinery, handling powerful tools or working around hazards, it brings that stat into even sharper perspective.
The dangers of dehydration is arguably still being overlooked. Mac Andrews, a Principle Consulting Engineer believes it’s about access and availability:
“If you’re operating a crane or working on scaffolding, you may be less inclined to drink because of your positioning. If you’ve got to keep to schedule, it'll be tempting to skip going up and down to get a drink, even if you are thirsty.”
The recommended amount of water we should consume per day is 3 litres, but when working outdoors in the heat, that should increase. We should also remember that the Health and Safety Workplace Regulations 1992 state that water should be ‘readily available at suitable and clearly marked places.’
Alan Ibbotson is a Civil Engineer who believes that better education is key to improving outdoor safety in the heat:
"The construction industry is realising there’s been a big focus on safety, but not enough on health. It’s not just about stopping people falling off scaffolding — it’s about long-term welfare through education. Companies should promote small actions like sunscreen use and provide more education about skin cancer."
Mac Andrews also shared a similar insight, this time on a common error that occurs when the heat goes up.
"When working outside in hot weather, the first impulse is to strip off to cool yourself down - but you’ve got to fight that urge and do the reverse by covering up. It feels counterintuitive, but it’s the safe thing to do."
This advice aligns with guidance from the NFU, which recommends that in hot weather, we:
So, now you're armed with the stats and the science, all you need now is the solution. To view the V12 collection - which features a range of breathable heat-reducing innovations - click below: your feet will definitely thank you.