Pollen and Hay Fever on Site

Hay fever affects around 20% of the UK population, causing sneezing, watery eyes, and impaired concentration.
Construction workers spend long hours outdoors during peak pollen season from May to September.
Impaired vision from watery eyes, sneezing fits, and drowsiness from antihistamines affect safety at work.
Operating plant, working at height, and driving are all higher risk activities when hay fever symptoms are severe.
Some antihistamine medications cause drowsiness that impairs reaction time and judgement on site.
Grass pollen is the most common trigger, with levels highest in the early morning and late afternoon.
The Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 requires employers to consider the fitness of workers for safety-critical tasks.
Workers with severe hay fever should discuss symptoms and medication with their GP and supervisor.
Simple measures like wearing wrap-around sunglasses and washing hands and face reduce pollen exposure.
Site inductions should cover the importance of reporting any condition or medication that affects fitness to work.

Prevent accidents	Sneezing fits, watery eyes, and antihistamine drowsiness impair concentration during safety-critical tasks.
Fitness to work	Workers operating plant, working at height, or driving must be fit and alert — hay fever symptoms compromise this.
Worker welfare	Supporting workers with hay fever through simple measures improves comfort, productivity, and safety on site.

Do

Don't

Report severe hay fever symptoms to your supervisor, especially if operating plant or at height
Use non-drowsy antihistamines and check with your GP that medication is safe for site work
Wear wrap-around sunglasses to reduce pollen contact with eyes during outdoor work
Wash hands and face regularly during high pollen days to remove pollen from skin
Check the pollen forecast and plan high-risk tasks for lower pollen periods where possible
Keep vehicle cab windows closed and use air conditioning with pollen filters when available
Carry tissues and eye drops to manage symptoms quickly during the working shift
Ask your supervisor about task reallocation if symptoms severely affect concentration
Take antihistamine medication before symptoms start for better effectiveness during the day
Shower and change clothes after work to remove pollen before it causes further symptoms

DON'T operate plant or drive if antihistamine medication causes drowsiness or impaired reactions
DON'T ignore hay fever symptoms while working at height — impaired vision increases fall risk
DON'T rub your eyes on site — wash them with clean water or use eye drops instead
DON'T take drowsy antihistamines before safety-critical tasks without informing your supervisor
DON'T assume hay fever is trivial — severe symptoms significantly impair working safely
DON'T work with continuously watering eyes near moving plant or open excavations
DON'T hide symptoms from your supervisor — they need to know for task allocation decisions
DON'T rely on alcohol-based hand sanitiser to remove pollen — use soap and water
DON'T mow grass or disturb vegetation during peak pollen times without considering allergy risk
DON'T dismiss a colleague's hay fever — offer support and suggest they speak to the supervisor

See also: Occupational Health Awareness | Fatigue and Working Hours

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