What to do when the mercury rises, and you work outdoors? While France is currently experiencing a significant heat wave, the Directorate General of Labor (DGT) and the Directorate General for Health (DGS) recall the main prevention advice for workers, in a press release published on the website of the Ministry of Health. These employees, such as construction workers, those exposed to high temperatures or having to wear protective clothing, are particularly affected by the risks of dehydration and of heatstroke.
Make fresh drinking water available to workers
The DGT thus wishes to recall that employers have an obligation to put in place lasting measures to ensure the safety and protect the health of their employees. “In periods of extreme heat, it is their responsibility to organize the activity accordingly (schedule adjustments, limitation or postponement of activities likely to have a deleterious effect on the health of their workers: load bearing, exposure to the sun hottest hours, etc.)“, specifies the press release. Among the imperative measures when the thermometer panics: provide workers with sufficient fresh drinking water. If these measures are not respected, the DGT remind that all workers are” en right to alert his employer or any other competent person (staff representatives, prevention officers, occupational health service, labor inspectorate, etc.)“.
Watch out for the first symptoms of dehydration or heat stroke
If an outside worker exhibits symptoms of dehydration or heatstroke such as inconsistent speech, loss of balance, loss of consciousness, or convulsions, the Ministry of Labouradvises, on its website:
– keep the person cool and take off their clothes
– sprinkle it with water and create a draft
– place bags of ice cubes on their thighs and arms.
>> To read also:
Heat: symptoms to watch out for
Heatwave: how do you do at work?
Medicines and heat: watch out for interactions!
Night work: good tips for a good sleep
