How to prepare your site, storage and stock so heat doesn't slow your operations down
When an Australian summer hits, heat doesn't just affect your people. It affects your whole site. Tape lifts off cartons, stretch film sags, chemicals give off more vapour, equipment overheats and stock stored in the sun quietly degrades. A heat-resistant worksite setup protects your team, your products and your bottom line. Here's how to get your site ready before temperatures peak.
Start With a Heat Audit
Before you change anything, walk your site on a hot afternoon. Look for areas in direct sun, poorly ventilated storage zones, tin-roofed sheds that trap heat, and loading docks where goods sit waiting. Note where people work, where stock is stored and where hazardous materials live. Those hot spots are where you should focus your summer setup.
Rethink Your Storage Layout
Heat-sensitive stock should be moved away from west-facing walls, roller doors and skylights, where temperatures climb fastest. Keep adhesives, aerosols, plastics and anything with a temperature rating in the coolest, best-ventilated part of the warehouse.
Organised storage makes this easier. TigerPak's Storage Bins & Crates and Pails, Bins & Liners keep smaller items contained and easy to move to cooler areas. Pallet Top Covers and Layer Sheets shield palletised stock from dust, condensation and radiant heat. Add Silica Gel or Container Desiccant to sealed loads, so humid summer storms and temperature swings don't cause moisture damage.
Choose Packaging That Handles the Heat
Summer is when weak packaging shows itself. Standard tapes can soften and lose grip in high temperatures, which leaves cartons popping open in storage or transit. Choosing the right adhesive matters. Acrylic tapes generally handle heat and UV better than hot melt, which is why it's worth reviewing your tape choice before summer. TigerPak's Industrial Tape and Machine Packaging Tape ranges give you options built for demanding conditions.
Stretch film can also struggle in the heat, especially on loads stored outside or near open doors. UV Resistant Machine Film holds its strength in direct sunlight, keeping loads secure and stable for longer. For extra stability, finish pallets with Cornerboards & Edge Protectors and Poly or PET Strapping.
Store Dangerous Goods Safely
High temperatures raise the risk with flammable liquids, aerosols and chemicals. Vapour builds up faster, containers can expand and the risk of fire grows. Keep dangerous goods in purpose-built DG Cabinets & Containment, away from heat sources and direct sun. Make sure they're labelled clearly with Dangerous Goods Labels and Warning & Danger Signs.
Spills are also more hazardous in the heat, as fuels and oils evaporate quickly. Put Spill Control Kits and Oil & Fuel Spill Kits near refuelling areas, chemical storage and workshops. Check that Fire Safety equipment is in date and easy to reach.
Set Up Safe, Shaded Work Zones
Wherever possible, move outdoor tasks into shaded or covered areas and improve airflow inside with fans and ventilation. Define these zones clearly, so traffic and pedestrians stay separate when everyone is moving faster to beat the heat.
TigerPak's Barriers & Fencing, Bollards & Cones and Barrier Tapes make it easy to mark off work areas, restrict access to hot zones and set up temporary shade spaces. Safety Mats add anti-fatigue comfort at work stations, which helps when workers are standing for long periods in warm conditions.
Reduce Manual Handling
The more physical a job is, the more body heat a worker generates. Cutting manual handling is one of the most effective ways to make hot days safer. Pallet Trucks & Lifts, Trolleys & Dollies and Platforms & Access equipment mean less lifting, carrying and climbing. Automating repetitive tasks with Semi-Auto or Automatic Pallet Wrappers and Carton Sealers also takes your team off the most physical jobs when the heat is worst.
Maintain Equipment Before It Fails
Heat puts extra strain on machinery, batteries and electrical gear. Check ventilation around pallet wrappers, strapping machines and chargers. Store battery-operated strapping tools out of direct sun, and inspect power boards and leads for heat damage. A quick pre-summer service can prevent a costly breakdown in your busiest weeks.
Keep Safety Visible and Ready
Put Information & Notice Signs in break areas and entry points to remind workers about heat risks and emergency procedures. Make sure First Aid Kits and Medical Supplies are fully stocked and placed across the site, not just in the office.
Your Summer Setup Checklist
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Heat-sensitive stock moved to cooler, ventilated areas
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Packaging tapes and films checked for heat performance
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DG cabinets, labels and spill kits in place
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Shaded work zones set up and clearly marked
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Manual handling equipment ready to use
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Machinery serviced and first aid kits restocked
Talk to TigerPak
From packaging and storage to safety, spill control and materials handling, TigerPak has everything you need to build a heat-resistant worksite. Talk to our team today and get your site summer-ready before the temperature climbs.