Small businesses: keeping staff safe in the heat

Shops, stalls, workshops and delivery businesses keep running through hot days. Official guidance gives employers simple steps to protect staff.

From NDMA's heat guidelines (Do's for employers and workers). Provide cool drinking water near the workplace. Caution workers to avoid direct sunlight. Schedule strenuous jobs for cooler times of the day. Increase the frequency and length of rest breaks for outdoor activities. Give additional attention to pregnant workers and workers with a medical condition.

From the Health Ministry's heat advisory. Provide cool drinking water and remind workers to drink a cup about every 20 minutes. Provide a shaded work area. Use a buddy system so workers watch each other for signs of heat illness, and have trained first-aiders. Ease new workers in gradually, because they are not used to the heat. Workers who are pregnant or have a medical condition should talk to their doctor about working in the heat. Light, long-sleeved clothing and a covered head help outdoors.

Know the emergency signs. If someone has a high body temperature and is confused, unconscious or has stopped sweating, call 108 or 102 at once. While you wait, move them somewhere cool, apply cold water to large areas of skin or clothing, and fan them.

Business owners can share tips in the Soshyal El Niño help room.

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