Summer has finally arrived, longer days, warmer weather, and plenty of opportunities to enjoy the outdoors. But with the sunshine comes a few extra safety challenges at work, and we’re here to help you tackle them.
First, a big thank you for being part of the BWARE family this year. Your dedication to workplace safety drives everything we do, and we’re proud to support you. Inside this edition, you’ll find simple, practical tips to keep everyone safe during the summer months, plus a few ideas to kick-start your health and safety planning for an amazing 2026.
Here’s to a summer that’s safe and filled with great moments for you and your team!
Summer is a great time to be outdoors, but it also brings specific health and safety risks, especially for teams working in the heat, near water, or on busy holiday sites. As temperatures rise and workplaces get busier, it’s important to remind our people of the simple preventative steps that keep everyone safe.
Here are seven practical summer safety tips you can share with your team.
Small changes in routine can prevent serious harm. Heat stress is one of the most common summer risks.
Encourage workers to:
Sunburn today can become skin cancer tomorrow…this stuff matters. New Zealand’s UV levels are among the highest in the world.
Remind your team to:
Preparation prevents last-minute stress and reduces the risk of incidents. Summer weather can shift quickly from hot and humid to wild and windy.
Ensure your workplace has:
A well-rested worker is a safe worker. Longer daylight hours often mean longer shifts. Fatigue can creep in and increase the risk of accidents.
Help your team by:
Water is refreshing, but also unpredictable.
If your team works near lakes, rivers, or coastlines:
Well-maintained equipment keeps people safe and reduces downtime. Heat affects engines, tyres, and equipment.
Before the busy season kicks off:
More people means more unpredictability…plan accordingly. Holiday parks, construction sites near holiday zones, and public areas can get hectic.
Think about:
It’s normal for everyone to feel a bit slow or out of rhythm after the Christmas break. Alertness is lower, and people can underestimate risks because tasks feel familiar. Use the first week back for quick refreshers on PPE, safe lifting, housekeeping, tool safety, and site rules to help everyone reset good habits.
Anything that’s been sitting idle may have issues, flat batteries, loose guards, damaged cords, or missing labels. Before work ramps up, take a moment to inspect, test, and update your equipment. A simple start-of-year checklist prevents breakdowns and keeps everyone safe.
January is the perfect time for a quick safety tune-up. Review your procedures, update risk assessments, and check that everyone understands emergency processes. A short team Safety Reset Meeting builds momentum and sets clear expectations for the year ahead.
January is still hot, and heat stress can creep up quickly. Encourage regular water breaks, schedule heavier work for cooler parts of the day, and look out for signs of fatigue. Staying on top of hydration and rest keeps everyone performing at their best.
The start of the year is a great opportunity for leaders to reinforce what good safety looks like. A simple message about teamwork, communication, and reporting near misses sets expectations early. When leaders model safe behaviour, the team is more likely to follow.
January often means full inboxes and urgent jobs waiting. Rushing leads to shortcuts and missed steps. Remind your team that doing it safely the first time is always faster than fixing an injury or mistake. A quick morning chat to prioritise work helps avoid unnecessary pressure.
Vehicles also need attention after the break. Check tyres, fluids, lights, Rego/WOF, and general condition. Drivers may still be in holiday mode, so reminding them to slow down and refocus helps reduce early-year incidents.
Summer often brings new starters, temps, or staff returning to previous roles. A simple, consistent onboarding process makes sure everyone understands hazards, PPE, and site rules. Even returning team members benefit from a refresher to reset expectations.
There’s often an increase in preventable injuries in January and February as workers readjust. Slips, strains, cuts, and burns are common. A few short toolbox talks early in the month can help your team get back into a safe working rhythm.
As the year wraps up, we just want to say a big thank you to everyone who’s been part of our BWARE community. To celebrate the end of the year, we spent the day at Glendu Bike Park in Wanaka. Riding e-bikes, sharing laughs, and enjoying dinner together was a great reminder of how important it is to pause and connect.
Now it’s time to rest, recharge, and enjoy a well-earned break with your family and friends. We’ll be here in the new year, ready to help your health and safety needs.
Our team at BWARE is wishing you a safe and joyful Christmas and a Happy New Year.
If you need a hand with your Health & Safety planning in the new year, or you’re finding your Site-Specific Safety Plans are getting questioned, drop us a line at helpdesk@bware.co.nz. We’re always here to help you.
