Working in the Heat: Occupational Health and Safety

The Ministry of Social Affairs and Employment (Sociale Zaken en Werkgelegenheid, SZW) estimates that 12% of company employees in the Netherlands work in high temperatures. In hot weather, this figure is much higher. Employers have to face the risk to the health of their employees.

Danger of working in hot weather

Exposure to heat, both indoors and outdoors, causes a person's body temperature to rise. The combination of an excess of heat and a lack of moisture creates an additional burden on the heart and blood vessels. Such a state is called heat stress. Its consequences can be heat stroke, fainting, convulsions, dehydration, and blue skin, lips and nails.

For employees working outdoors, possible prolonged exposure to direct sunlight (UV radiation) plays a role. In addition to the risk of burns and skin cancer, too much UV radiation can negatively affect the immune system.

High risk groups

First of all, employees of certain professions are at risk of overheating: bakers, cooks, gardeners, miners, construction workers, steelworkers, firefighters, policemen and road workers.

Secondly, the increased risk is due to the following conditions:

• pregnancy;
• extremely low weight (less than 50 kg);
• overweight;
• cardiovascular diseases;
• medication use;
• poor general health.

Safety and labor protection

The rules for working in hot conditions are set out in Working Conditions Ordinancewhich is based on the provisions of the Working Conditions Act. In particular, we are talking about the temperature regime at the workplace. in Article 6.1 of the Decree.

The employer must provide a comfortable working temperaturewhich should not harm the health of workers. What is taken into account?

1. the nature of the work performed and the physical stress associated with it;
2. provision of personal protective equipment as needed;
3. limitation of work time or work with breaks.

In addition to the ambient temperature, the movement of air (natural or ventilation) as well as the clothes of the workers affect the comfortable working environment.

Working climate test app

The Federation of Dutch Trade Unions (Federatie Nederlandse Vakbeweging, FNV) has created a special app, FNV Werkklimaat, to check the working climate. However, in order to reliably determine whether employees are truly at risk, the employer should involve an expert, such as an occupational health specialist.

Labor Inspectorate checks

Temperature conditions in the workplace may be of interest to the Labor Inspectorate (Arbeidsinspectie). After an employee's complaint, the inspectorate may send a recommendation to the employer, in particular calling for consultations with employees and the works council (ondernemingsraad, OR) on appropriate measures to be taken.

Moreover, the the labor inspector may order the closing of the company. If, in the opinion of the inspector, there is an imminent danger to employees, the company may be temporarily closed.

How to reduce risks when working in the heat?

1. Use RI&E (abbreviation for Risk Inventory and Evaluation) is a tool for identifying and eliminating risks in your company. First, you look for all risks to the safety and health of employees, and then develop a plan to eliminate them.

2. Check out recommendations on work in heat or at high temperatures from the Ministry of Social Affairs and Employment.
3. Create a “thermal plan” for staff so that each employee knows what measures to take in the event of a critical increase in temperature.
4. Adjust the schedule - shift working hours in hot weather, on your own or in consultation with your staff. For example, you can take a long break for employees in the midst of the heat of the day. It is possible to work in the intervals from 8:00 to 12:00 and from 16:00 to 19:00.
5. Connect occupational health experts to develop workplace safety rules in hot weather.

As an entrepreneur, you are solely responsible for a safe workplace and caring for your staff. Don't forget about it!