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Worryingly, many of those at greatest EXCESS HEAT HAS A HUGE there to be a maximum working temperature
risk are often overlooked. ‘Outdoor service of 30°C (27°C if the job is strenuous).
workers – such as street sellers, food truck IMPACT ON YOUR ABILITY Rob adds: ‘At a time when climate change
THE PRACTICE CLIMATE CRISIS
operators and street cleaners – informal and is making extreme heat an increasingly
migrant workers and low-income temporary TO CONCENTRATE, PLAN pressing concern, it’s particularly worrying
workers are all examples,’ says Neelesh. AND PROBLEM-SOLVE that we’re falling behind EU countries in
‘Workers in this unorganised sector also face terms of protection levels and that the

additional difficulties in dealing with excess argument for not doing more remains

heat due to restricted access to resources In the UK, Unite has been campaigning “different workplaces operate at diff erent
such as PPE, inadequate healthcare and a for more than 20 years for a law on temperatures”, which isn’t a valid reason for
lack of paid leave or appropriate breaks.’ maximum working temperatures. side-stepping the issue.’
Employers also need to recognise that ‘We need to see maximum temperatures ‘One of the problems for policy-makers is
workers who are not eating suffi cient food enshrined in law,’ says Rob Miguel, national a lack of high-quality, in-depth evidence on
– whether they are fasting or simply don’t health and safety adviser at Unite. ‘Until the impact of heat stress on workers in many
have enough available – are more susceptible that legal protection is in place, employers regions of the world. For example, there are

to the effects of extreme heat if they’re will always point to the fact that there’s no very few, if any, studies that focus on the Latin
already feeling weak, tired and dehydrated. upper limit.’ America and the Caribbean region,’ explains
Unite is calling for employers to be Shouro Dasgupta, environmental economist
Legal protection obliged to take action to reduce the indoor at the Euro-Mediterranean Center on
Some countries have now put legal temperature if it rises above 24°C and for Climate Change.
protection in place for workers.
In China, employers are obliged to reduce
working hours and work intensity on hot
days (35°C outdoors and 33°C indoors) and
to suspend outdoor work if temperatures
reach 40°C (US National Resources Defense What to do when temperatures rise
Council, 2021).

Thailand took a different approach with

its indoor and outdoor occupational heat Remind staff of the increased Review your PPE: a newer version
standard, which uses the wet bulb globe risks and the self-care measures may be lighter and more comfortable.
temperature to determine limits for diff erent they should take, such as drinking
plenty of water. Provide a urine colour Make changes to the working
intensities of physical work: 34°C for light
chart to help workers monitor their environment such as providing desk
work, 32°C for moderate work, and 30°C for
hydration levels, as well as ensuring that fans, access to chilled water and shade, both
heavy work (Phanprasit et al, 2021).
workers have access to suffi cient water indoors (eg window blinds) and outdoors.
The UAE operates a mandatory, three-
and toilet facilities.
month ‘midday break’ for outdoor workers,
Implement a buddy system whereby
prohibiting work in open spaces or under Plan additional, longer breaks workers monitor each other for signs
direct sunlight from 12.30 to 3pm, to protect and increase staff numbers to of heat-related illness.

employees from hot summer temperatures. maintain output/service levels.
In August 2023, Ontario said it would Ask those at increased risk
introduce heat stress legislation under its Provide a cool environment in (eg employees with health

Occupational Health and Safety Act as a which staff can take their breaks conditions) to check in with their manager
and recover. on a regular basis so they can urgently
direct result of climate change, setting heat
address any issues.
stress exposure limits depending on the
Allow slower work rates
intensity of the work in question.
and ensure managers feel Relax formal dress codes.
Meanwhile, in the US, the Biden
empowered to make this call.
administration says it remains committed to
Use heatwaves as an opportunity to
a federal heat standard to ensure protections Have a plentiful supply of PPE, as identify areas for improvement, such
in workplaces across the country, but this increased sweating and breaks as a need for better ventilation or insulation
remains a number of years away. may require more frequent changes. around hot plants and pipes.
48 JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2024 | IOSHMAGAZINE.COM
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