Tropical temperatures. You're sweating a lot and in your mind you're sunbathing on the beach or along the waterfront. Unfortunately, this is often a daydream and in reality we are working with tropical temperatures and you are exposed to the dangerous UV radiation.
There are two types of work in ''warm'' conditions:
- Working under summer conditions (mainly involves working in temperatures associated with summer and the sun's radiation);
- Working under warm conditions (this concerns summer conditions, but also a (broken) climate system or a situation where there is a heavy workload in a warm ambient temperature and possibly in combination with a relatively high humidity).
Working in sunlight or under high temperatures can have positive (e.g. vitamin D production) but also dangerous consequences for your body. In this toolbox you can read which risks can occur, but also what you can do to help yourself or your colleague.
Working in sunlight or under high temperatures can have dangerous effects on the body. Therefore, be aware of the risks of physically working under high temperatures.
Loss of concentration
When working in the sun or with hot machines for long periods of time, the body temperature can rise quite quickly. This can cause a loss of concentration. As a result, you are less alert to your surroundings and/or to the machine you are working with.
UV radiation and sunburn
The sun provides warmth, daylight and UV radiation (UVA and UVB). The intensity or strength of the UV radiation depends on various factors, but is strongest in the Netherlands between 12:00 and 15:00. Please note: clouds do not block UV radiation! Frequent (and too long) exposure to UV radiation increases the risk of damaging your skin. This can lead to burning of the skin and cause an increased risk of skin cancer or other skin conditions, such as itching and blisters. In addition, the sun can also cause eye damage due to too much sunlight directly on the eyes.
Heat injuries
Heat injuries can be divided into five categories.
1. Sunburn
2. Heat rash
3. Sunstroke
4. Heat exhaustion
5. Heat stroke
1. Sunburn
Symptoms
- With mild burns, your skin is slightly red.
- In case of severe burning, you even have blisters.
- You may also have a fever and/or feel sick.
What should you do in case of sunburn?
- First of all, get out of the sun.
- Cool the skin with wet cloths or use an after-sun gel.
- Take or give paracetamol if necessary.
- Always leave blisters intact and do not puncture them.
- Stay out of the sun to allow the skin to cool down.
2. Heat rash
Heat rash is a rash of very small red bumps, often on the lower legs, in the armpits, back of the knees or on the inside of the thighs. Heat rash occurs because sweat ducts become clogged because the body has difficulty regulating temperature. This can occur during exertion, for example when you go for a walk/exercise or strenuous work in hot weather or in a room where the ambient temperature is high.
What should you do in case of heat rash?
- Take a rest and cool with water.
- Provide shelter and shade.
- In case of doubt or more serious complaints, contact your doctor.
3. Sun stroke
Have you been in the sun and do you suffer from headaches, dizziness, nausea and/or red skin? Then there is a chance that you suffer from sun stroke.
Symptoms
- The victim did not wear head protection and was exposed to direct sunlight for long periods of time.
- Sweat a lot, looks pale or red.
- There is headache, dizziness and vomiting.
- Muscle cramps.
- Severe fatigue.
- When it comes to actions, one clearly makes "mistakes".
- Please note! Heatstroke can turn into heat stroke.
What should you do in case of a sun stroke?
- Find a cool environment.
- Take off warm clothes.
- Place cold compresses or ice cubes in a sachet of water on the body (in the groin, under the armpits, on the neck).
- Do you suffer from disorders of consciousness? Or trouble breathing? Call 112!
4. Heat exhaustion
Heat exhaustion often occurs at high temperatures combined with strenuous exercise. The body temperature rises, but does not exceed 40 degrees.
Please note! Heat exhaustion can therefore also occur in a hot working environment or where high temperatures are caused by the work, often in combination with strenuous exercise.
Symptoms
- Sweat a lot, looks pale or red.
- Headache, dizziness, vomiting.
- Muscle cramps.
- Severe fatigue, feeling weak, sometimes fainting.
- When it comes to actions, people are clearly going to make 'mistakes'.
- Can progress to heat stroke.
What should you do in case of heat exhaustion?
- Put the victim down and give rest in a cool environment.
- Protect from the sun (e.g. with a rescue blanket or parasol. Do not place a blanket on top of the victim, but hold it above it for the shade and reflection of the sunlight).
- Do not allow the victim to drink a (sports) drink that is too cold.
- Cool any cramped muscles.
- Call or have 112 called if the condition does not improve quickly.
5. Heat stroke
Heat stroke is the most dangerous heat injury. In the event of heat stroke, intensive medical care is required immediately. Due to dehydration and a high body temperature (sometimes as high as 41 degrees or higher), the heat regulation in the brain gets into trouble.
Symptoms
- The victim has a high body temperature (sometimes as high as 41°C or higher).
- There is abnormal behavior, headaches, hallucinations, confusion, anxiety, chance of seizure.
- The victim has red skin but does not sweat.
- Rapid heartbeat and difficult breathing.
- Nausea, fatigue, feeling weak.
- Possible loss of consciousness and unconsciousness.
What should you do in case of heat stroke?
- Call or have 112 called if the victim becomes drowsy or confused, is uncoordinated or has balance disorders.
- Leave the victim lying down.
- Provide a cool environment, allow the victim to remove clothing.
- If necessary, provide shade by holding a rescue blanket over the victim. Do not put the rescue blanket on top of the victim, the rescue blanket should not touch an overheated victim.
- Actively cool the victim as soon as possible with cold packs in the neck, armpits and groin.
- Prevent the victim from shivering.
- Do not give the victim anything to eat or drink.
The Working Conditions Act does not set maximum temperatures at which you can work indoors or outdoors. That's because factors such as humidity, heat radiation and wind also play a role in how warm it feels outside and inside. As a result, it is difficult to determine in advance under which circumstances health will be damaged. In any case, the Ministry of Social Affairs and Employment provides this indication for indoor and outdoor work. Please note that these are not legal limit values!
- At temperatures above 26°C, there is an extra physical strain and you think about measures. These depend on the actual work situation.
- For light physical office work above 28°C, you must take appropriate measures.
- For intensive, physically strenuous work, you should take appropriate measures at 26°C. Without a perceptible airflow, you can already take suitable measures at 25°C.
- For physically very strenuous work, you can take appropriate measures at 25°C if you feel an air current. Without a perceptible airflow, you can already take suitable measures at 23°C.
What measures can you take in advance?
- Employees are responsible for the use of protective clothing obtained from the employer.
- Provide shade or shelter. In any case, try to avoid the sun between 12:00 and 15:00 by scheduling work differently.
- Avoid heat-producing machines and hot rooms.
- Adapting activities.
- Adjust work pace.
- Adjust the work schedule.
- Take breaks more often.
- Drink plenty of fluids (water or coconut water).
- Use plenty of sunscreen.
- Dissipate heat by installing ventilation.
- Purchase of personal protective equipment (e.g. neck flap for the helmet or cooling vests, if necessary in consultation with the client).
Do you want to know more about this topic? Read more about working in summer and hot conditions on the pages below.
Heat protocol
Risks when working in the sun and in heat
Infographic Heat protocol
Check the sun's strength at the KNMI - Weather and health. The sun's power is a measure of the amount of UV in sunlight that reaches the earth. Use solar power scale to draw the right conclusion for which control measures can be taken.
KNMI - Solar power forecast
If the measures mentioned above cannot or are not effective, advice can be sought from the occupational health and safety service or QHSE department. A tool for determining the heat load, so that effective measures can be taken in a timely manner.
Heat stress calculator
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