Working in the heat – how the right workwear can help you cope in hot weather

Hot workdays require the right workwear

Summer is the most anticipated time of the year for many. At the same time, it brings workdays when temperatures can easily rise high both outdoors and indoors.

Heat is a familiar phenomenon, for example, in care homes, hospitals, the food industry, restaurant kitchens, and cleaning work. It can also be uncomfortable in an office if the ventilation cannot keep up with the heatwaves. As the temperature rises, the strenuousness of work increases. In such cases, properly chosen workwear can make working easier.

Heat strains the body

Humans cool themselves by sweating. If the air is humid or stagnant, sweat does not evaporate effectively. In this situation, the body temperature begins to rise, which quickly affects alertness. Work may feel heavier than usual, concentration may falter more easily, and at the end of the day, one may feel more tired than normal.

Heat is not just a discomfort factor. It can reduce work efficiency, increase the risk of errors, and raise the danger of accidents. Therefore, temperature conditions are also a question of occupational safety.

The employer is responsible for safe working conditions

The Occupational Safety and Health Act requires that thermal conditions in the work environment and their effects on employees' health and safety are taken into account in workplaces.

In workplaces, heat hazards should primarily be reduced by technical solutions. In practice, this can mean, for example, improving ventilation, cooling workspaces, managing humidity, or arranging hot work phases.

If the temperature in the workspace rises high despite technical solutions, the employer must assess the strenuousness of the work and organize the work in such a way that the employee's exposure to heat is reduced.

Breaks are not an extra benefit in hot weather

Occupational safety authorities recommend that when the temperature of the workspace exceeds 28 °C, employees should have the opportunity for extra recovery breaks. According to established recommendations, in light and moderately heavy work, approximately 10-minute breaks per hour should be taken when the temperature exceeds 28 °C. If the temperature rises above 33 °C, the need for breaks increases further.

In hot work, the importance of recovery is emphasized. Short and regular breaks in a cooler space are often more effective than infrequent long breaks. Sufficient hydration is also fundamental for working in hot conditions.

Workwear is more important than often thought

In summer, the importance of workwear is emphasized. Functional workwear helps keep you comfortable throughout the shift. Especially in hot work environments, clothing can reduce heat stress and support the employee's well-being throughout the entire shift. Workwear is part of the work environment, just like tools, lighting, or ventilation.

If the material does not breathe or retains moisture, it quickly becomes uncomfortable. Technical materials are designed to wick moisture away from the skin and dry quickly. That's why they are widely used in sportswear, but the same properties are also beneficial during a workday. At Medanta, we have invested in the technical properties of materials, such as moisture wicking and breathability.

Workwear should also be loose enough. Light, breathable, and flexible workwear reduces work strain. Workwear and headwear also protect against the sun's UV radiation.

A more comfortable workday starts with the right choices

Long heatwaves are not an exception but increasingly a part of summer, even in Finland. Working in hot conditions must be taken into account even more in the future when designing work environments, work arrangements, and workwear.

We believe that workwear is not just clothing. It is part of a safer, smoother, and better workday. At Medanta, we are increasingly investing in the design of technical workwear materials that breathe, effectively wick moisture away from the skin, and feel good to wear throughout long shifts. The antimicrobial treatment of our workwear reduces the formation of odors caused by sweating in the clothing and increases textile safety.

5 questions about working in the heat

How does heat affect endurance at work?

Heat strains the body and can impair concentration, increase fatigue, and raise the risk of errors and work accidents. The higher the temperature and the more physical the work, the greater the impact of heat stress on the employee.

What should an employer do in hot working conditions?

It is the employer's responsibility to ensure safe working conditions, even in hot weather. Heat stress can be reduced, for example, by appropriate workwear, ventilation, cooling of workspaces, work breaks, and by providing employees with adequate hydration.

Why are breaks and hydration important when working in the heat?

Heat increases dehydration and strains the body's thermoregulation. Sufficient water intake and regular breaks in a cooler space help maintain alertness and reduce heat stress during the workday.

Why does the material of workwear matter in hot work?

In a hot work environment, workwear affects how effectively the body can dissipate excess heat. Breathable and moisture-wicking materials support sweat evaporation and can reduce discomfort caused by heat. Therefore, workwear material choices are part of heat stress management in the workplace.

Which Medanta products are suitable as summer workwear?

Summer workwear should be particularly light, loose, and breathable, feeling comfortable even on warm workdays. From Medanta's selection, you'll find high-quality work shirts, work trousers, t-shirts, dresses, and work vests for summer. Our workwear materials are designed to be breathable and wick moisture away from the skin. The antimicrobial treatment of our workwear prevents the formation of unpleasant odors in the garment.