Page 73 - INTERNATIONAL SOS PR REPORT JUNE 2024

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International SOS offers guidelines for organisations to mitigate workforce health risks of extreme heat events:
1. Conduct heat-specific risk assessments: regularly assess your operations for potential heat stress hazards.
Identify high-risk locations and activities and consider vulnerable employee profiles,including those with pre-
existing health conditions or who perform strenuous outdoor work.
2. Integrate heat safety into health and safety policies:make heat stress prevention a core component of your
health and safety policies. Ensure workers have access to shaded areas for breaks, hydration stations to keep
hydrated and allow for breathable workwear suitable for high temperatures.
3. Provide heat stress awareness and prevention training:deliver climate-specific training programmes that focus
on working safely in extreme heat. Educate employees on proper hydration practices and sun protection measures
and enable them to adjust their work pace during high temperatures.Train employees to recognise heat stress
symptoms and provide clear protocols for hydration, rest breaks and cooling down.
4. Develop robust heat response protocols:develop well-defined procedures for responding to heat-related
illnesses, including first aid and emergency evacuation. Communicate these protocols effectively and ensure your
workforce knows who to contact in case of a heat emergency.
5. Continuously review and update your response plans:conduct regular reviews of your organisation’s heat
response plans to ensure they reflect the latest information and best practices for heat safety.

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