Heat work: what precautions can be taken to limit the risks?

In periods of extreme heat and heat, the employer shall take the necessary measures to protect the health of his employees by taking into account the risks associated with thermal environments, by renewing the air so as to avoid excessive temperature rises in enclosed working rooms and by making fresh drinking water available.

For employees, here are the recommendations to follow in case of heat:

• Monitor the temperature;
• Drink regularly;
• Wear light clothing that allows sweat to evaporate (e.g., cotton clothing), loose-fitting and light-colored if the work is outdoors;
• Tell your employer if your clothing and personal protective equipment cause additional discomfort;
• Protect your head from the sun;
• Adjust your work rate according to your heat tolerance;
• Ask your employer to organize the work in a way that reduces the pace of work, in particular by adjusting the working hours;
• Reduce or postpone strenuous physical exertion, and ask your employer to postpone hard work to the coolest hours;
• Ask your employer to lighten the workload with short work/rest cycles;
• Avoid alcohol;
• Eat light, split meals;
• Take extra care if you have a medical history and are taking medicines;

In the case of work outside the home, the employer shall:

• To provide workers with a rest room adapted to climatic conditions or to arrange the construction site in such a way as to enable breaks to be organized under equivalent safety conditions;
• Make available to workers at least 3 liters of drinking and fresh water per person per day (construction sites);
• Ensuring that the wearing of personal protection and gear protection equipment are compatible with high temperatures;
• Take appropriate organizational measures to ensure that work is carried out without exposing employees.