{"id":22955,"date":"2024-07-04T15:25:15","date_gmt":"2024-07-04T14:25:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.manutan.co.uk\/blog\/?p=22955"},"modified":"2024-07-23T14:52:52","modified_gmt":"2024-07-23T13:52:52","slug":"how-to-effectively-anticipate-risks-with-heat-prevention-in-the-workplace","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.manutan.co.uk\/blog\/summer\/how-to-effectively-anticipate-risks-with-heat-prevention-in-the-workplace\/","title":{"rendered":"How to effectively anticipate risks with heat prevention in the workplace?"},"content":{"rendered":"

For several years now, heat waves have been on the increase<\/strong>. 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\u2019 safety and productivity. So which best practices should you adopt to prevent high temperature-related hazards? What are the employer\u2019s obligations in terms of these particular weather conditions? Find the answers to these questions below.<\/p>\n

How do you combat extreme heat?<\/h2>\n

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.<\/p>\n

Stay hydrated<\/h3>\n

Regularly drinking fresh water<\/strong> 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.<\/p>\n

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Hand of a traveler pressed the button of drinking water filling station at the Airport, fill up the reusable water bottle. Eco friendly, Environmental awareness, No Plastic, Clean water, Zero waste.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Cool down<\/h3>\n

It is best to avoid lingering in hot places for long periods. Air conditioning<\/a> 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.<\/p>\n

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mitarbeiter im b\u00fcro sitzt vor ventilator<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Wear light, loose clothing<\/h3>\n

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.<\/p>\n

Adjust work organisation by taking regular breaks<\/h3>\n

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.<\/p>\n

What can be done to prevent heat from entering the workspace?<\/h2>\n

Extreme temperatures can lead to accidents at work (e.g. fainting or loss of consciousness) and thus endanger people\u2019s lives. Employers should therefore prevent heat from entering work spaces in order to protect their workers.<\/p>\n

Insulation<\/h3>\n

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.<\/p>\n

Ventilation<\/h3>\n

Improve employee comfort levels in enclosed rooms by using ventilation or air conditioning<\/a>. 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.<\/p>\n

Appropriate floor materials<\/h3>\n

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.<\/p>\n

Use of suitable curtains and blinds<\/h3>\n

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.<\/p>\n

Reflective roofing<\/h3>\n

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

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.<\/p>\n

What are the employer\u2019s obligations when it comes to heat?<\/h2>\n

In Europe, employers\u2019 obligations in terms of heat vary from country to country and according to local regulations<\/a>. However, some common principles apply.<\/p>\n

Prevention<\/h3>\n

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