Safe working in heat for delivery and construction workers

Delivery riders, construction crews and other outdoor workers face the most heat. The Health Ministry's heat advisory has a section for employers and workers.

Water. Provide cool drinking water at the workplace and remind workers to drink a cup every 20 minutes or more often.

Shade. Provide a shaded work area; a temporary shelter can be put up at the site.

Timing. Schedule strenuous and outdoor jobs for cooler times of the day, in the morning and evening. The general advisory also says to avoid going out in the sun between 12 noon and 3 pm.

Breaks and pace. Increase how often and how long workers rest. Assign extra workers or slow the pace of work.

New workers. It takes weeks to get used to a hotter climate. The advisory says new workers should not work more than three hours a day for the first five days, then increase gradually.

Look out for each other. Train workers to recognise heat illness and set up a buddy system, since people often do not notice their own symptoms. Have trained first-aiders and an emergency plan. Pregnant workers and those with medical conditions or on certain medicines should talk to a doctor about working in the heat.

Clothing. Light-coloured, preferably long-sleeved shirts and trousers, with the head covered.

Emergency. Call 108 or 102 if someone has a high body temperature and is unconscious, confused or has stopped sweating, and cool them while you wait.

Join the El Niño help room on soshyal.com to ask questions and share what you see in your area.