For questions or help: 01 834 0388 | sales@arksafety.ie
HUGE RANGE Thousands of quality PPE and workwear products
REGULATORY KNOWLEDGE We offer unparalleled regulatory knowledge
SITE SURVEY To help determine your detailed requirements
IRISH OWNED Irish owned and managed business
When the temperature rises, so do the risks on the job. Safety workwear for warm weather isn’t just about comfort; it’s a critical part of protecting workers from heat stress, fatigue, and safety hazards in industries like construction, manufacturing, and food production. With the summer now upon us again, choosing the right gear becomes essential to maintaining both performance and well-being on site.
In this article, we explore how to select workwear that keeps your team protected, cool, and compliant, helping you make hot days a little safer and more productive.
When temperatures climb, having proper safety workwear for warm weather protects against both discomfort and serious health risks. From sun-soaked construction sites to sweltering factory floors, the right gear helps workers stay cool, protected, and productive throughout the day.
Beyond wellbeing, heat-appropriate workwear is a legal and professional necessity. Employers are required to protect their teams from excessive heat exposure, especially in summer. Choosing compliant, high-performance workwear ensures legal obligations are met, while also showing care for employee welfare and boosting on-the-job morale.
Working in extreme heat can quickly escalate from uncomfortable to dangerous. Risks include dehydration, fatigue, slower reaction times, and even heat stroke. Overheating affects concentration, increases the likelihood of accidents, and poses a risk to long-term health.
Heat stress happens when the body can’t cool itself fast enough, leading to symptoms like dizziness, nausea, and in severe cases, collapse or organ failure. In this context, clothing acts as a critical tool for thermoregulation.
Wearing breathable, regulation-compliant clothing that helps manage body temperature is one of the most effective ways to reduce these risks.
Employers have a clear legal duty to protect workers from heat-related hazards. This includes:
Heavy, non-breathable gear can lead to overheating and reduce compliance. On the other hand, lightweight, breathable PPE ensures comfort without compromising protection, helping maintain safety and productivity during hot spells.
To truly protect workers in the heat, workwear needs to do more than just fit well; it needs to perform. The right gear should be lightweight, breathable, UV-protective, and able to wick moisture efficiently.
Focusing on these core features makes it easier to keep your team cool, safe, and focused on the job, even on the hottest days.
Fabrics make or break summer workwear. Breathable, moisture-wicking materials like cotton blends or technical fabrics promote airflow and draw sweat away from the skin. This prevents the discomfort and danger of soaked clothing.
Avoid thick synthetics that trap heat. Instead, choose materials designed for fast drying and heat release for comfort that lasts through long, hot shifts.
UV exposure is a serious risk for outdoor workers. Clothing with a built-in UPF (Ultraviolet Protection Factor) shields skin from harmful rays and reduces the risk of sunburn and long-term skin damage.
Ventilation matters just as much. Look for shirts, trousers, and hi-vis gear with vented panels or mesh zones. These allow body heat to escape and airflow to circulate, helping workers stay cooler, longer.
Selecting appropriate summer work clothes enhances comfort and safety. From head to toe, each piece of gear should be chosen with the intent to protect and cool the worker. This includes headwear, upper body clothing, lower body and footwear considerations.
Let’s explore some guidance for choosing the right gear for each part of the body, ensuring comprehensive protection and comfort during hot weather work.
Start at the top! Wide-brimmed hard hats and caps with neck flaps offer excellent sun protection for the face and neck. Mesh-panel headwear adds ventilation, keeping the head cooler in direct sunlight.
Safety sunglasses with UV-rated lenses and anti-fog coatings protect the eyes while reducing glare, making it easier to focus and avoid accidents.
Short sleeves may offer breathability, but ventilated long-sleeve shirts provide more complete sun protection. The best options combine airflow with moisture-wicking performance to reduce heat retention and skin irritation. They also help shield arms from abrasions, sparks, or contact with hot surfaces, offering an extra layer of protection without sacrificing comfort.
Look for high-visibility gear with mesh panels, which are ideal for both safety and summer comfort.
Trousers with mesh linings, vented seams, or zip-open air panels offer critical relief for the legs. They also help reduce sweat buildup in heavy-duty work environments.
Breathable steel-toe boots provide foot protection without turning into heat traps. Pair them with moisture-wicking socks to avoid blisters, odour, and fungal infections. Advanced work trousers with cooling technology can also boost comfort throughout long shifts in the sun.
Selecting the right summer workwear is more than a seasonal adjustment; it’s a vital part of maintaining safety, comfort, and compliance when the heat is at its worst. Prioritising lightweight, breathable fabrics, built-in UV protection, and smart ventilation features helps your team stay cool, focused, and protected. The right gear not only reduces the risk of heat-related illness but also boosts morale and productivity across the board.
This is where our expertise at Ark Safety comes in to help. As a trusted, Dublin-based, Irish-owned supplier, we specialise in safety workwear for warm weather, offering a full range of high-performance gear designed specifically for hot working conditions. We stock everything you’ll need, with over 95% stock availability and same-day dispatch on most orders, so you’re never left waiting.
Whether you’re kitting out a full crew or just need advice on the best hot weather options for your team, our experienced support team is here to help. Get in touch with us to help your team stay safe, cool, and professional-looking all summer long.
