Employer obligations in the event of a heat alert

Based on forecasts by the National Meteorological Service, in view of the high average daily temperatures and heat warnings expected during the summer months, the Occupational Safety Department of the Ministry of National Economy has issued a statement calling on all employers to dangers of heat waves, as well as the employees necessary to protect your health and safety take preventive measures.

The body's ability to regulate its temperature is influenced by countless factors, such as age, body weight, physical fitness, health, clothing, and nutrition. During heat waves, work places increased strain on the body, and even healthy individuals can experience extreme stress in warmer-than-average weather.

Persistently high daily average temperatures and physical work cause excess heat production in the body, which increases the risk of heat-related illnesses (e.g., heat cramps, heat exhaustion, heat stroke). Heat can cause inattention, slower reaction times, fatigue, and sweaty, slippery hands, all of which increase the risk of accidents in the workplace. Heat waves can pose a particularly high and growing health and safety risk for outdoor workers., as well as strong UV radiation. Protecting them from the harmful effects of the weather is also important because they have limited options when it comes to choosing where and when to work.

Special attention should be paid to preventing heat-related health problems, especially when doing physical work outdoors in the hot sun (e.g., road construction, asphalting, agricultural activities):

• A Drinking water at a suitable temperature (14-16 °C) must be provided in quantities sufficient to meet the needs of employees to compensate for fluid loss. in compliance with hygiene requirements. Workers should be encouraged to drink plenty of water—about a glass of cold drinking water every 15-20 minutes, even if they do not feel thirsty—and to avoid coffee, alcohol, and drinks high in caffeine and sugar, which can dehydrate the body. It is recommended to replenish the minerals lost through sweating with small meals during work breaks and rest periods.
• Work organization must ensure, that it is regularly used during work rest period. Employees should spend their breaks in a cool, shaded place with adequate seating, if possible.
• When working outdoors, attention must be paid to replacement of employees, i.e. work must be organized in such a way that workers take turns spending short periods of time in the scorching sun and in the shade. During critical hours (between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m.), work should be carried out in a cooler, shaded workplace where possible.. Where possible, outdoor work areas should be shaded (e.g., using tarpaulins or canvas covers).
• During the first days of intense heat, it is recommended to provide employees with shorter working periods and longer breaks between work, if possible.
• Employees working within a working time framework (e.g., 12-hour shifts) may be particularly exposed to stress during heat alerts if they have to work on consecutive days and are unable to regenerate due to the nighttime heat. Although there are no specific legal requirements for work organization measures for employees working within a working time framework during heat alerts, based on the experience of the occupational safety authority and employee complaints in previous years, it is recommended, with the involvement of the occupational health service, to reschedule the work-rest pattern during heat alerts and to introduce more frequent and longer rest periods.
• Employees, where possible wear light-colored, loose-fitting clothing when performing their duties, provided that this does not compromise safety. It is recommended to supplement the prevention of heat exhaustion and heatstroke with other measures (e.g., wearing a hat that covers the neck/provides shade or a wide-brimmed, well-ventilated hat, cooling down by washing your face and hands with cold water).
• The nature of the work (e.g., light, moderately heavy, or heavy physical work) and the general health and experience of the workers must also be taken into account when providing personal protective equipment, for which the opinion of the occupational health service physician must also be sought. The additional strain caused by wearing work clothes, protective clothing, and other protective equipment must also be taken into account.
• In enclosed workplaces, the efficiency of ventilation and air conditioning equipment must be checked more frequently than usual., their proper functioning must be checked with the help of a specialist, and regular technical maintenance, cleaning, and disinfection must be ensured. Improper adjustment, operation, maintenance, and cleaning of artificial ventilation and air conditioning equipment can cause health problems (e.g., colds, respiratory infections, etc.).
• The volatile hazardous substances (e.g., organic solvents: acetone, toluene) Occupational safety rules must be strictly observed when performing the activity., as high temperatures increase the evaporation of certain chemicals, which can quickly lead to dangerous contamination of the workplace air. Without adequate protection (technical and/or personal protection), this can cause employees to feel unwell or even lose consciousness.

Materials and waste soaked in solvents must be stored in closed, separate containers.

• Always be cell phone in the workplace, if help is needed. Recommended among employees designate a person to oversee compliance with preventive measures (e.g., adequate fluid intake, regular rest in cooler, shaded areas), as well as the occurrence of any complaints, the need for first aid or medical care.
• First aiders must also be trained to recognize and treat the symptoms of heat exhaustion and heatstroke caused by excessive exertion in hot weather. (excessive redness and heat in the face, rapid heartbeat, headache, nausea, malaise, and in more severe cases, fainting, loss of consciousness, etc.). It is important to ensure that all employees know who among them has been professionally trained to provide appropriate first aid if necessary.

source: www.ommf.gov.hu