No heat holiday for employees
It was the highlight of the summer school day: heat holiday! However, this does not apply to employees. However, employers have a duty to provide their employees with comprehensive protection against the effects of extreme heat.
Employer obligations
For this reason, protection against heat and UV radiation is relevant for everyone who works in the sun. "Employers are obliged to ensure the health protection of their employees in high temperatures. The employer's obligations are regulated in particular in Art. 82 UVG," explains Vonlanthen. This includes the employer planning and implementing protective measures. For example, they must provide employees with sufficient water, sun cream, shade workstations where possible and provide headgear with a visor and neck protection.
The employer should also provide shade. It is also important to check whether the work can be moved forward. "Suva explicitly recommends moving work forward, especially physically demanding work, to the cooler morning hours," says Vonlanthen. However, when work can begin - also because of the noise emissions - depends on the work in question and the location.
Of course, employees can also contribute to their own protection through their behavior. For example, they should regularly apply sun cream to all exposed areas of skin and ensure that they use enough sun cream.
Rights of employees
If employers do not implement the protective measures, employees can report this to Suva. "It is important to us to protect the person making the report. Contact details are therefore treated confidentially and not passed on to third parties," emphasizes Vonlanthen.
Conclusion
Effective heat protection in the workplace requires a combination of correct behavior, adequate sun protection, an adapted work rhythm and regular breaks. Compliance with these measures can prevent health problems and heatstroke. Employers have a duty to protect their employees and should take comprehensive preventive measures.
Suva offers a checklist for working outdoors in the heat and sun. You can here download
Measures against sun and heat
21 to 27 degrees
- Provide or drink sufficient quantities of fresh water or lightly sweetened tea.
- Set up shaded areas for breaks and shade exposed workplaces where possible, for example with awnings or tent roofs, because UV radiation is always harmful.
- If possible, carry out very heavy work early in the morning.
- Wear light clothing that allows perspiration to evaporate.
28 to 32 degrees
- Pay attention to the well-being of employees.
- Adapt the working rhythm to the conditions.
- Adapt working hours to the specific conditions: for example, adjust the start of work and move heavy work to the early hours of the morning.
- Keep cool drinks, drinking water and other refreshment options (e.g. water to dip your arms in, cold towels) near the workstations.
- Allow enough time to drink and refresh.
From 33 degrees
- Watch each other for signs of heat-related illnesses (for example: weakness, exhaustion, dizziness, nausea, muscle cramps, concentration problems).
- Reduce very heavy work to the absolute minimum necessary. If necessary, rotate employees at workplaces in the heat with those at cooler locations.
- Take additional breaks in a cool and shady place (hourly breaks of 15 minutes).
- Prefer cool isotonic drinks to compensate for the loss of salt.
- If necessary, check other cooling methods (for example: cooling vests).
