Climate change means that the Netherlands is also experiencing more and more periods of very hot or extremely hot weather. Working in heat entails risks in many sectors. Health problems caused by working in heat are referred to as heat stress.
Heat stress is caused by several factors, including temperature, humidity and UV radiation. As an employer, you must therefore take measures to protect vulnerable and other employees. This applies both to outdoor occupations and to occupations where the work is carried out indoors. It is important to identify and assess the risk of ‘heat’ and take appropriate measures.
What are the risks of working in hot weather?
Working in heat involves various risks:
- Reduced performance and concentration
- Heat radiation
- Heat exhaustion
- Heat-related illnesses
It is important that you are aware of the occupational risks within your business, so that work can be carried out in a healthy and safe manner. A mandatory measure in this regard is to record the health and safety risks in a Risk Inventory and Evaluation (RI&E). You then list the measures you have taken, or need to take, in a Plan of Action (PoA).
What can you do to prevent these risks?
Various tips and tools have been listed to help prevent health problems and risks. These include:
Drawing up a heat plan or heat policy
Shortening working hours and providing sufficient breaks
Ensuring adequate cooling
Read more
- Our previous exploratory study on heat stress in the workplace.
- What the law says about working in heat.
- The risks of sun exposure to the skin.
- With the Zelfinspectie.nl (checklist for employers), you can easily check whether you are aware of all the occupational risks in your business and are taking the right measures.