Working in hot weather
Swiss health insurance company SUVA has developed some key guidelines for working in the summer heat, to help you get through hot days at work.
One of the most important steps that you can take to protect yourself from the heat is to drink enough fluids before starting work and during your working day. Our bodies can need several litres of water each day in the summer months.
As well as drinking enough, the following tips will help on hot days:
- stay out of direct sunlight while working
- open the windows overnight if possible or in the early morning at the latest; keep them closed and close curtains, blinds or shutters during the day
- use fans if needed
- wear suitable clothing
- adjust your working pace
- take regular breaks
- pay close attention to your body’s warning signals
You can find more information (in German) on Download Heat from the perspective of occupational medicine (German) and Download Hot tips for hot days (German) on the external page Suva website.
Are you interested in health and safety at work? The Safety, Security, Health, Environment (SSHE) staff unit has published lots of information on this topic on its website, available in both English and German.