In the UK we have been able to record a few tropical days above 25 ˚C. One person loves it, an other finds it terrible. Everyone experiences the heat differently. Not only the ambient temperature but also the humidity, heat radiation, air speed, clothing and physical exertion play a role in this. With even more summer days ahead, it is good for the employer to think about measures to keep the temperature as pleasant as possible during work.
Working at high temperatures or with hot products can lead to poorer performance or damage to health. It is therefore important to assess what the heat risks are in a workplace.
Below you can read some tips that you as an employer can implement to make work as pleasant as possible during summer temperatures.
1. Protection
When your employees go outside during the break, offer them a sheltered place where they are not exposed to direct sunlight. No shade available? Then make one by, for example, tightening a few sheets together. Not only handy, it also looks cheerful!
2. Protection 2.0
Colleagues who spend a lot of time outdoors, such as agricultural mechanics and seasonal workers. Also think of employees who work in the open field. You naturally want to protect your staff from sunburn or harmful UV radiation from the sun. Show that you care about the health of your employees and make sun protection available.
3. Clothing
Wear light cotton or linen clothing in warm weather. The big advantage of these materials is that it absorbs a lot of moisture and that the air permeability is high. Use clothing that is not too dark and when you spend a lot of time outside wear a shirt with long sleeves. If corporate clothing is involved, make sure it is UV resistant. Wear a cap or hat to protect your head. Shorts are also recommended, but then it must fit in with the business. It should not lead to dangerous situations.
4. Cooling
Keep windows and doors closed! Not immediately something you think of in summer heat. The less heat comes in, the more pleasant it stays inside. Just open the windows and doors facing each other in the morning hours when it is still cool outside. Use fans and air conditioners to cool workplaces. Make sure it doesn't get too cold. It is important to coordinate the outside temperature with the inside temperature. The transition must not be too large between indoors and outside. A rule of thumb is around 7 ˚C difference between inside and outside temperature.
Possibly think about extra sun protection on buildings, draw curtains or blinds, or you can solve this temporarily with an alternative. Think of large towels, old curtains or covers. Place the covers on the outside of the window. So that you block sun rays and therefore the heat as much as possible.
5. Custom schedule
Start extra early (5 a.m. -6 a.m.) and stop earlier (2 p.m.-3 p.m.). Instead of stopping earlier in the afternoon you can also take a long lunch break, a siesta. In the cooler afternoon hours you will start working again. Another advantage is that you can use the cooler morning air to properly ventilate and cool the building by opening windows and doors opposite each other. Close again when the heat rises.
Will it be cooler in the weekend according to weather forecasts? View the options for moving the working day to the weekend so that you have a day off during the week. Discuss this internally, check with your employees whether they are open for an adjusted timetable. Also see whether you should pay attention to working time agreements in employers contracts. And here too it applies: it must fit in with business operations. Do you have agreements with customers? Ask if you can come at an earlier time or consult to move the appointment to a cooler moment.
6. Pause
Have your employees take shorter breaks a little more often so that they can have a drink and cool off.
7. Drink enough
Your body loses a lot of moisture on tropical days. Don't forget to drink enough on hot days. Prepare a cool box or refrigerator for your employees with bottles of water or soft drinks. And a delicious cup of hot tea cools the body on warm days. And don't forget: treat yourself to an ice cream!
8. Equipment
Switch off equipment and machines that you do not use. They produce a lot of heat.
9. Take a day off!
And if it really gets too hot, give your employees the space to take a day off so that they can sit comfortably in an inflatable pool in the garden.
10. Heat Plan / Heat Protocol
Discuss with your employees what they like and under what circumstances. It is good employer to make agreements about this. You can record these agreements in a heat plan or heat protocol. For example, you record:
Working hours (custom schedule)
- Pauses
- Drink
- Sun protection
- Cooling
- Clothing
Have a nice summer!
