Watch out, it's hot! (Everything you need to know if you work in the heat.)

Working outdoors, especially during hot weather, poses a significant risk to workers' health. The risks are primarily UV radiation and heat overload . It is important to be aware of the risks and take appropriate action in these situations.

Ultraviolet (UV) radiation

UV radiation is part of the electromagnetic spectrum emitted by the sun. It is divided into three types: UVA, UVB and UVC. UVC radiation and most UVB radiation are blocked by the Earth's atmosphere, but about 10 percent of UVB radiation, which causes damage to the upper layers of the skin, and UVA radiation, which affects skin aging even in depth, reach the Earth's surface and thus people.

Why can UV radiation be dangerous?

UV radiation causes adverse effects, primarily on the skin and eyes. These can be immediate (acute) effects that occur immediately after exposure, or delayed (chronic) effects that occur over a period of time, e.g. several years.

A common early side effect on the skin is sunburn. Burns of varying degrees. Mild sunburns cause burning and stinging redness of the skin, while more severe sunburns cause swelling and blisters.

Prolonged exposure to the sun causes accelerated skin aging – photoaging. Precancerous and cancerous lesions can develop on exposed skin. changes such as melanoma ( link to article: Melanoma ).

UV radiation can also damage the eyes. Even short-term direct exposure can cause a burn-like inflammation with redness, pain and tearing, which can temporarily impair vision. Long-term exposure to UV radiation also increases the risk of developing cataracts. cataracts , can lead to the development of earlier retinal damage and the formation of cancerous changes in the eye and the skin around the eyes.

Thermal overload

Prolonged exposure to high temperatures is harmful to the human body. In these environments, people may experience the inability to maintain normal body temperature, dehydration and overheating . A person may experience nausea, headache and dizziness, heat cramps may also occur, and in the most severe cases, heat stroke.

How can I take action?

It is essential that the employer implements appropriate measures to maintain the health of employees in the above cases. Among other things, the following is recommended:

• Provide shade. Work in the shade if possible.

• Dress in light, airy clothing.

• Use a hat and sunscreen glasses .

• Apply sunscreen to exposed skin . Apply a high protection factor cream . Repeat application every 2-3 hours.

• Increase the number of breaks , which should be taken in cooled areas or in the shade.

• If possible, do the most difficult tasks early. in the morning or late in the evening .

• When using air conditioning in the work environment, we recommend following the "-7 degrees Celsius rule" , which means that the air temperature in the work space should not be more than 7 degrees Celsius lower than the outside temperature.

• Ensure adequate hydration. Workers should have access to water at all times, and it should be properly cooled.