Working Outside – How to keep cool and safe when working in the heat

Enjoying top ranking music gigs is one of the side benefits of working in security at festivals. Even when you are working away from the stage area, you can still hear and enjoy the music.

But working outside does include some risks and you need to bear these in mind.

Stay hydrated

Getting hot and sticky amid thousands of festival goers can be very uncomfortable. Make sure you have a bottle of water at hand. Take a drink regularly.

Have sun screen and sun glasses at hand. The sun’s rays can burn your skin, leaving it red, blistered and irritated. Apply new layers of sunscreen approximately every couple of hours. Wear sunglasses to protect your eyes.

Avoid tight clothing

Åim for loose light coloured clothing, preferably made from natural fibres as these will be coolest of all. Bring a hat with a wide brim to help shade your face from the heat of the sun.

Wear comfortable shoes. You are going to be on your feet all day. The heat will make your feet swell, so make sure your footwear takes this into account.

Be prepared

British weather can all too quickly turn nasty. The day might start bright and sunny, before turning humid and thundery clouds appearing. When your work requires you to be outside all the time, you don’t want to be left wet and soggy during and after a thunderstorm. Packing a lightweight waterproof in your bag, ready for use when needed will make all the difference.

During breaks, take some time to relax, replace the water in your water bottle and enjoy the music. But keep an eye on the time, and make sure you get back to your allotted work spot when necessary.

Stay calm

Being hot and sticky will make people fretful and more easily angered. Bear that in mind when you are dealing with people at festivals and outdoor events. You need to stay cool and calm to disperse potential tension and arguments, which can easily spiral out of control. Keep watch for any situations that could potentially turn nasty and be ready to deal with them.

If you are overseeing the car park, do an occasional vehicle check to make sure people haven’t left animals or children in the car even for short periods. Remember that metal cars get very hot, and anyone inside can overheat fast and if left too long, it can prove fatal.