This summer temperature indicators are breaking records in almost the entire territory of Ukraine. But, the heat is not a reason to stop work. However, you should know how to preserve the health of the personnel and not lose labor efficiency indicators at such high air temperature. Read more about this below.
Organization of working conditions in the heat
In July, the daytime air temperature exceeds +30C, and in some regions even +40°C. Under such conditions, the productivity of employees significantly decreases, and the probability of accidents increases. In order to reduce the impact of high air temperature on employees, employers need to organize an optimal work and rest regime, as well as take certain safety measures to prevent employees from overheating on hot days.
The optimal and permissible indicators of the microclimate are different for different categories of work based on indicators of severity, but the upper limit of temperature at permanent workplaces (that is, where the employee spends more than half of working time or at least two hours in a row) is a temperature of + 28º C. Means and measures for normalization of microclimatic conditions can also be different: it is the installation of blinds or light-reflecting films on glazed surfaces, and the maximum use of natural ventilation, and the installation of air conditioning systems, and the use of special clothing and protective equipment.
Work and rest schedule
During work on open sites, rational regimes of work and rest should be organized. Thus, the total duration of work at temperatures above + 28° C should not exceed 4-5 hours per shift. The intra-shift mode of work and rest is organized at the expense of the duration of working hours: the duration of regulated breaks must be at least 10% of working hours for every 2°C rise.
But it is necessary to take into account that during such breaks, employees must be in rooms with an air temperature difference of no more than +5° C and no lower than +25° C (special attention should be paid to this by employees in the rooms of which air conditioners are installed, because sharp temperature drops significantly increase the risk of heart attacks).
During work in open areas and at an outside air temperature of +35° C and above, the duration of periods of safe work should be 15-20 minutes, followed by a rest of at least 10 minutes in cooled rooms. At the same time, the permissible total duration of thermal stress per work shift for persons who use special clothing to protect against thermal radiation should not exceed 4-5 hours, and without such special clothing – 1.5-2 hours. Working at an outside air temperature above +37° C according to microclimate indicators is dangerous (extreme). In this case, it is not recommended to carry out work outdoors. Employers should change the order of the working day and shift working hours to morning and evening hours.
Water intake regime
In order to prevent dehydration of the body, it is recommended to follow the water intake regime correctly. Experts advise drinking mineral alkaline water, juices, fortified drinks instead of drinking water. Water should be consumed often and in small quantities. During physical work at air temperatures above +30°C, you should drink at least 0.5 liters of water per hour.
Managers of enterprises must comply with the requirements of current labor protection legislation and take preventive measures during work at height in adverse weather conditions. It is not allowed to work at height in open places with wind speeds of 10 m/s or more and air temperatures above +35 °C. Urgent work at height in more difficult weather conditions (at other temperatures) is performed at the employer's decision. At the same time, additional safety measures that meet these conditions should be provided for in the work execution project.
