Summer is one of the busiest seasons for hotels, retail, restaurants, and tourism businesses. With big events, outdoor patios, festivals, and long shifts in hot kitchens, your staff can be exposed to serious heat stress risks. Preparing early helps keep your team safe, healthy, and ready for the rush.

Heat stress happens when the body can’t cool down fast enough. This can happen outdoors in the sun, or indoors near ovens, grills, dishwashers, laundry equipment, or in crowded spaces with poor airflow. As temperatures rise, so does the risk of heat-related illness.

How to prepare your team before summer begins

1. Train your staff early

Give your team a quick refresher before summer arrives. Make sure everyone knows how to identify heat stress symptoms, such as:

• early symptoms like thirst, cramps, tiredness, or heavy sweating
• danger signs such as confusion, dizziness, or no longer sweating
• when to speak up and who to report concerns to

Daily safety talks before shifts can make a big difference.

2. Plan for hydration

During busy events, workers may forget to drink water. Set up:

• easy-to-reach hydration stations
• regular water reminders
• a guideline that staff should drink one cup of water every 20 minutes

3. Create cool-down opportunities

Even small changes help prevent heat stress:

• rotate staff between hot and cooler tasks
• provide shaded rest areas for outdoor teams
• allow breaks to cool down during extreme heat
• use fans or improve airflow where possible

This is especially important for kitchen, patio, housekeeping, and event staff.

4. Make clothing part of your plan

Encourage breathable, lightweight fabrics such as cotton or moisture-wicking materials. Ensure uniforms don’t trap heat or limit movement. For outdoor workers, remind them to wear hats and use sunscreen every day, even if it’s cloudy.

5. Have a clear response plan

Before the busy season starts, make sure your team knows:

• how to identify heat exhaustion and heat stroke
• who to call for help
• when to call 911
• where first aid supplies are kept

Review your plan regularly, especially before major events or heat waves.

Preparing before the rush helps protect your staff, keeps service running smoothly, and ensures visitors have a great experience, even on the hottest days of summer.

Need help getting started?

WSPS consultants can help you develop a heat stress training program. Contact us today to get started.

Safety resources

• 5 ways to prevent heat stress – Working in the intense heat of the summer sun can put workers at risk of heat stress, but heat stress can also hit you in places you wouldn't expect.
• 10 ways to prevent heat stress in retail kitchens - Heat stress may lead to heat stroke, which can be fatal. Even mild symptoms of heat stress could be hazardous if workers are distracted and have trouble focusing on the task at hand.
• Safety Connection Webinar - Heat Stress (pre-recorded)
• Visit the OHCOW Heat Stress Tool Kit, courtesy of the Occupational Health Clinics for Ontario Workers (OHCOW) and the Centre for Research in Occupational Safety & Health (CROSH). This toolkit is designed to support, empower and protect workers while guiding workplaces for both indoor and outdoor use. 

The information in this article is accurate as of its publication date.