10 Common Mistakes to Avoid When Choosing Summer Workwear

10 Common Mistakes to Avoid When Choosing Summer Workwear

Summer is a busy season for many outdoor industries, but it also presents unique challenges related to heat, sun exposure, and worker comfort. Selecting the right summer workwear is essential to ensure safety, efficiency, and compliance with health and safety standards. However, there are common mistakes employers and workers often make that can lead to discomfort, decreased productivity, or even health risks.

In this article, brought to you by Optimum BHP, we highlight the five most frequent mistakes when choosing summer workwear and how to avoid them.

For more detailed guidance, visit our comprehensive Workwear FAQ and explore our practical tips on the Workwear & PPE Blog.

Mistake 1: Choosing Non-Breathable, Heavy Fabrics

One of the biggest errors is selecting heavy, non-breathable clothing that traps heat and sweat. This leads to overheating, discomfort, and reduced work performance.

How to avoid:

Opt for lightweight, breathable fabrics with a weight between 150 and 250 g/m². Materials blending cotton with polyester or technical synthetics improve ventilation and flexibility.

Mistake 2: Neglecting UV Protection

Not all summer workwear offers protection against harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays. Prolonged sun exposure without adequate protection can cause sunburns and long-term skin damage.

How to avoid:

Choose workwear with built-in UV protection (UPF rating) to safeguard workers against sun damage.

Mistake 3: Not Matching Workwear to Job Requirements

Improperly selected clothing that does not fit the nature of the work results in low comfort and potential safety risks.

How to avoid:

Select workwear tailored to the job role and duties. For example, technicians might need garments with multiple pockets and reinforcements, while warehouse workers benefit from lightweight, breathable clothes with high-visibility elements.

Mistake 4: Skipping High-Visibility Clothing in Low-Light Conditions

Summer work often starts early or continues into the evening, where visibility can be limited.

How to avoid:

Use certified high-visibility garments compliant with EN ISO 20471 standards, such as reflective vests or shirts, to ensure worker safety.

Mistake 5: Choosing Cheap, Low-Quality Clothing

Low-cost workwear often wears out quickly, loses colour, and fails to provide adequate protection.

How to avoid:

Invest in durable, certified products from reputable brands such as Ardon, CXS Canis, or Procera, ensuring long-term value and safety.

Mistake 6: Ignoring Specific Needs of Road Construction Workers

Road construction workers spend long hours under direct sunlight, often surrounded by asphalt that increases ambient temperatures. A common mistake is equipping them with standard cotton uniforms without considering breathability, UV protection, and high visibility. This leads to rapid overheating and increases accident risks due to poor visibility near traffic zones.

How to avoid:

Choose summer workwear designed specifically for road workers. Lightweight, fluorescent hi-vis T-shirts, reflective vests, and EN ISO 20471-certified trousers from brands like CXS Canis, Ardon, or Sara Workwear are excellent choices. Combine these with summer safety shoes that offer slip resistance and breathability.

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Mistake 7: Choosing Inappropriate Summer Workwear for Builders

Builders often need both mobility and durability, but employers frequently issue overly thick or non-stretch materials during summer. This limits flexibility and increases sweating, making tasks like bricklaying, scaffolding, or concrete work more dangerous and uncomfortable.

How to avoid:

Opt for stretch work trousers made of lightweight, breathable fabrics, reinforced at knees but airy overall. Models from Leber & Hollman or Delta Plus are ideal for summer construction projects. Pair them with short-sleeve work shirts, UV-protective polos, and lightweight safety boots for summer.

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Mistake 8: Failing to Consider Ventilation Needs for Warehouse Workers

Warehouse workers face specific challenges: high indoor temperatures, limited airflow, and continuous physical activity. Many employers mistakenly provide standard, multi-season workwear which traps heat and limits breathability.

How to avoid:

Choose ultra-light summer collections like those from Procera or Polstar. Focus on shorts, lightweight work trousers, or mesh-back T-shirts available in our summer workwear section. For warehouse floor safety, ensure workers wear ventilated work shoes that meet at least S1P standards while offering breathability.

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Mistake 9: Overlooking Practical Features for Service Technicians

Service technicians often work in tight spaces, attics, or outdoors in direct sun. A common mistake is giving them bulky, multi-layered uniforms that aren’t adapted to the summer workload. This limits mobility and increases thermal stress.

How to avoid:

Look for lightweight multi-pocket service trousers from brands like Neo Tools or Urgent. Combine them with breathable work polos, stretch shirts, and low-cut summer work shoes for extra comfort. In our Optimum BHP store, you’ll find many collections tailored for field technicians operating in summer conditions.

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Mistake 10: Not Using Brand-Specific Summer Collections

Another widespread mistake is buying generic workwear without considering that many leading manufacturers now offer specialized summer lines designed for hot weather. Ignoring these collections leads to purchasing garments with poor sweat management and low durability.

How to avoid:

Explore summer-dedicated collections from trusted brands like Ardon, CXS Canis, Delta Plus, or Portwest. At Optimum BHP, we stock entire ranges of summer work trousers, short-sleeve hi-vis clothing, and breathable footwear, ensuring that every industry can find the right solution for hot weather operations.

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Remember, choosing the right summer workwear is an investment in your team’s health and safety. Explore the range of summer workwear at Optimum BHP and ensure your workforce stays comfortable and protected all season long!