UNITED KINGDOM / AGILITYPR.NEWS / May 27, 2025 / With the Met Office forecasting an increased likelihood of hotter-than-normal conditions this summer, Pallet Truck Shop - the UK’s largest supplier of pallet and sack trucks - is urging warehouse operators to ensure their teams are equipped and protected for the challenges of working in rising temperatures.

While the potential for extended heatwaves remains uncertain, the elevated risk of higher-than-average temperatures poses a risk to worker wellbeing in physically demanding environments such as warehouses and distribution centres. Manual handling tasks, which are already labour-intensive, become significantly more taxing in hot weather - increasing the risk of heat exhaustion, dehydration and other heat-related complications.

Phil Chesworth, Managing Director at Pallet Truck Shop, believes now is the time for employers to act. “The logistics industry can’t afford to be caught off guard by the heat. Summer can be one of the busiest times of year, and rising temperatures only make the job harder. Warehouse teams need the right support to stay safe, stay efficient and, most important of all, avoid injury,” he said.

Pallet Truck Shop is encouraging businesses to assess their current handling operations and ensure staff are equipped with ergonomic, labour-saving tools such as pallet trucks and lift tables that minimise the need for heavy lifting, pushing or pulling. This helps reduce physical strain on workers, especially in hotter conditions when fatigue can set in more quickly.

“Good manual handling equipment plays a vital role in maintaining worker wellbeing,” Chesworth added. “By reducing physical effort and improving efficiency, you can help prevent the kind of overexertion that leads to accidents and heat-related illness."

Alongside investing in equipment, Pallet Truck Shop also recommends warehouse operators take further precautions - including regular hydration breaks, appropriate uniforms, improved airflow or ventilation, and a review of shift patterns where feasible to avoid the hottest parts of the day during heatwaves.

As the UK braces for a potentially scorching summer, preparation is key. With the right tools and policies in place, businesses can keep operations running smoothly while safeguarding their most valuable asset – their people.

To find out more about Pallet Truck Shop, visit: www.pallettruckshop.co.uk