How to effectively anticipate risks with heat prevention in the workplace?

For several years now, heat waves have been on the increase. For employees, the health risks from intense heat are a real problem and can be dangerous, even fatal. High temperatures in a hot and humid environment such as a warehouse can affect concentration, alertness, and responsiveness. These health effects compromise teams’ safety and productivity. So which best practices should you adopt to prevent high temperature-related hazards? What are the employer’s obligations in terms of these particular weather conditions? Find the answers to these questions below.

How do you combat extreme heat?

Prolonged exposure to high temperatures has harmful effects on the body: Heat can cause dehydration, muscle cramps, headaches, heat stroke, or heat exhaustion in employees. All of these can lead to serious accidents. This means a few simple measures must be taken to prevent such risks.

Stay hydrated

Regularly drinking fresh water is essential to compensate for fluid loss through sweating. Employees should consume more than the recommended 1.5 litres of water per day. Sugary or caffeinated drinks should be avoided as they contribute to dehydration.

Cool down

It is best to avoid lingering in hot places for long periods. Air conditioning is a good cooling system for countering stifling heat and cooling employees down. They can also dampen their skin as a complementary way of lowering their body temperature.

Wear light, loose clothing

In hot weather, loose, light clothing is preferable. This type of clothing promotes air circulation around the body. For employees who work outdoors, light-coloured clothing is ideal as dark colours tend to retain heat. They can also wear a wide-brimmed hat to protect themselves against the sun.

Adjust work organisation by taking regular breaks

Adapting the rate of work and reducing the pace by taking regular breaks during the day is very important for employees, especially in hot weather. It is also recommended to lighten the workload and reduce strenuous physical exertion during the hottest hours of the day. The idea is to prevent any increase in body temperature and thus avoid any heightening in health risks.

What can be done to prevent heat from entering the workspace?

Extreme temperatures can lead to accidents at work (e.g. fainting or loss of consciousness) and thus endanger people’s lives. Employers should therefore prevent heat from entering workspaces in order to protect their workers.

Insulation

To reduce the amount of heat infiltrating the building, then walls, doors and windows should be insulated. Highly efficient insulation materials such as glass wool, urethane foam or sandwich panels can be used. It is strongly advised to use these materials to reduce the effect of heat waves.

Ventilation

Improve employee comfort levels in enclosed rooms by using ventilation or air conditioning. Solutions like ceiling fans or ventilation ducts make the workspace feel cooler. They stir the warm air and help air currents circulate around the room. Industrial air conditioners, on the other hand, regulate the room temperature by drawing in warm air and cooling it before redistributing it.

Appropriate floor materials

Flooring can have a significant impact on how employees feel inside a space. It is common to use rubber tiles in warehouses, as this material provides effective insulation. It helps to maintain a constant temperature on the premises. Similarly, polished concrete slabs are also popular for their high thermal capacity.

Use of suitable curtains and blinds

It is recommended to use blinds or curtains that are specifically designed to block sunlight. Thermal blinds, for example, reduce the intensity of incoming heat by reflecting it. Similarly, air curtains create a cold air barrier at the entrance of the building. These are particularly effective when used around loading bays.

Reflective roofing

Reflective roofs are designed to reflect sunlight and minimise heat absorption through the roof. This stops as much warm air from entering buildings.

Although green roofs require regular maintenance, they significantly reduce air conditioning costs. White roofs are also a good option because of the reflective properties of this colour.

What are the employer’s obligations when it comes to heat?

In Europe, employers’ obligations in terms of heat vary from country to country and according to local regulations. However, some common principles apply.

Prevention

Employers have an obligation to prevent heat-related risks at work for their staff. This may involve the implementation of preventive measures such as:

• Adjusting working hours;
• Installing ventilation systems;
• Providing water or any cold drink;

Information and training

Managers should inform and train their employees about the risks of heat exposure and what measures they can take to protect themselves from heat-related accidents. This can be done through training sessions, informative meetings or the provision of explanatory documents.

 Adjust working hours

Managers have a duty to adapt working hours to suit the weather. In some countries, it is mandatory to allow employees to only work when temperatures are lower. This may be earlier in the morning or when the heat drops at the end of the day, or even at night (e.g. in the construction industry).

Workplace design

Employers are required by law to design workplaces in such a way as to reduce any risk related to high temperatures. This may include fitting blinds, air conditioners or fans, as well as shelters to provide shade and fresh air.

Breaks and rest

Employers must allow employees to take regular breaks in a cool place as well as provide a rest area. Some countries have made it compulsory to provide additional breaks during hot weather.

Penalties for failure to comply with these obligations vary from country to country. They depend on specific occupational health and safety regulations. Managers may face financial or administrative penalties. In some of the more serious cases, they may face prosecution for endangering the lives of others.

Heat waves are a public health issue. Managers should refer to local and national regulations to make sure that they are meeting the relevant standards. However, organising this prevention requires collaboration between employers and their staff to ensure safe and healthy working conditions.

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