The Ministry of Labor and Social Welfare (MRSS) announced today that, in cooperation with the Directorate for Inspection Affairs of Montenegro and the Institute for Public Health of Montenegro, it published Recommendations for working in open spaces at extremely high outside temperatures.
"The recommendations for working in an open space at extremely high outside temperatures serve to help employers and employees, to minimize the risk to life and health at work when working in an open space at extremely high outside temperatures. Also, the mentioned recommendations provide the necessary information on how to act in the event of health problems related to working in an open space at extremely high outside temperatures, the press release points out.
The Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications stated that the Ordinance on occupational health and safety measures in the working environment and working environment ("Official Gazette of Montenegro", number 104/20) stipulates that:
- Work in the open space at extremely high outside temperatures when the temperature is above 36°C should not be performed, except in cases of serious, immediate and unavoidable danger, when human lives and material assets of social importance are at risk;
- Work in an open space at high outside temperatures should be carried out in accordance with regulations, standards, the act on risk assessment, special instructions for safe work at the workplace and recommendations issued by the state administration body responsible for labor affairs or the state administration body responsible for health affairs.
Also, the Ordinance on safety measures at work on temporary or mobile construction sites* ("Official Gazette of Montenegro", number 020/19) stipulates that:
- Work in the open space under unfavorable climatic, atmospheric or other influences, wind speed greater than 36 km/h, at extremely high outside temperatures when the temperature is above 36° C, should not be carried out, except in cases of serious, immediate and unavoidable danger , when human lives and material goods are at risk.
Safety and health measures at work
1. Organization of work
- employers are recommended that employees do not work in the period from 11 a.m. to 16 p.m. if the work process allows it, and if it is not possible to interrupt work;
- employers are obliged to take all measures of protection and health at work;
- redistribution of working time in those activities in which it is possible, so that jobs are performed before and after extremely high outside temperatures;
- redistribution of working hours, which implies interruption of work for a certain period of time, while extremely high outside temperatures last and continuation of work after the normalization of atmospheric conditions, with compensation for the time in which no work was done;
- the employer should organize work in shifts;
- the employer needs to introduce additional workforce;
- more frequent breaks are recommended with the provision of a large amount of water and soft drinks;
- the employer is obliged to take the necessary measures and appoint employees to provide first aid;
- enable employees to remove means and equipment for personal protection at work during rest (break);
- provide appropriate space, where employees can hide from the sun and rest;
- perform acclimatization of employees to conditions at high temperatures.
2. Training employees for safe and healthy work
In addition to training for safe and healthy work, the employer should:
- familiarize employees with the symptoms of diseases caused by extremely high outside temperatures;
- must provide information on the risks to the health and life of employees when exposed to extremely high external temperatures;
- informs employees about the dangers of taking medications that prevent or slow down acclimatization.
Acclimatization represents the adaptation of the organism to normal functioning in the new conditions of the working environment, and most employees acclimatize after seven to 14 days.
3. Means and equipment for personal protection at work
In addition to means and equipment for personal protection when working outdoors at extremely high outside temperatures, if possible, employees should be provided with:
- summer suits, hats, scarves, etc.;
- to wear light, bright and comfortable clothes made of natural materials;
- to wear caps, scarves or light hats with a wide brim for the head that covers the neck, if the employee is not required to wear means and equipment for personal protection at work for the head.
4. Prevention of health problems
If the physical activity lasts less than 60 minutes, it is enough to drink plain water to compensate for the lost fluid, and when the physical activity lasts longer than 60 minutes, plain water is no longer enough to replace the fluid, because electrolytes have also been lost due to profuse sweating, so drinks are recommended with the addition of carbohydrates and electrolytes.
To prevent dehydration it is important to:
- consume at least two liters of water a day;
- avoid drinks with caffeine, alcohol, carbonated drinks and sports drinks with a lot of sugar because they contain ingredients that cause dehydration;
- take one glass of chilled water every 15-20 minutes;
- take frequent breaks in the shade or in cooled rooms;
- proper nutrition - avoid heavy and bulky food, eat fresh fruits and vegetables;
- that in the diet, above all, fresh fruits and vegetables, dairy products with low fat content, bread in smaller quantities are used, and heavy and fatty fried dishes, red and dried meat, canned food and the consumption of large quantities of sweets and foods that are not recommended contain refined sugar and saturated fat;
- use protective sun cream and
- provide appropriate first aid.
Health problems that can occur in employees who work outdoors at extremely high outdoor temperatures
- Heat rash occurs on parts of the body covered by clothing in hot conditions. Blocked sweat glands lead to discomfort and itching. Heat rash looks like red dots or small blisters, most often localized on the head, neck or shoulders. The rash area can be further irritated by clothing or scratching, in rare cases a skin infection can develop.
- First aid - The employee with heat rash should be moved to a cooler place protected from direct sunlight and given to drink chilled water. Most heat rashes resolve on their own. Let the skin dry by itself, do not use towels. You should avoid ointments or lotions that can further irritate the skin.
- Heat cramps occur after long-term exposure to high outside temperatures and in hot plants in employees who perform heavy physical work. The basic disorder is increased loss of salt and fluid from the body through sweating. The symptoms are: thirst, weakness, headache, painful cramps in the arms and legs, tremors and spasms of various muscle groups, rapid heart rate, soft tones, blood pressure is usually low, body temperature is normal or low. First Aid - Employees with heat cramps should rehydrate by drinking water and/or electrolyte replacement fluids (eg, sports drinks) every 15 to 20 minutes.
- Heat exhaustion occurs after a long stay in hot conditions, when sweating leads to a significant loss of fluids and electrolytes. The symptoms are: exhaustion accompanied by nausea, headache, dizziness, tremors and cramps, while the skin is moist from sweat and cold.
- First aid - The employee with heat exhaustion should be moved to a cooler place protected from direct sunlight and given to drink chilled water.
- Sunburn – A disorder of thermoregulation caused by the direct effect of the sun's rays on the exposed head. When the sun hits the head directly, about 99% of the heat energy is absorbed in the skin and bones of the head. A small part of infrared rays (about 1%) penetrates to the dura mater, causing its hyperthermia with accompanying hyperemia of the brain and brain. The symptoms are: general weakness, headache, dizziness, flickering before the eyes, nausea, vomiting, facial redness, increased body temperature, rapid pulse and breathing, increased sweating.
- First aid - An employee with heat exhaustion or sunstroke should be moved to a cooler place protected from direct sunlight and given to drink chilled water. If the symptoms do not go away, the employee should be taken to a medical facility for medical evaluation and treatment or call emergency medical help (number 124 for the whole of Montenegro). Until help arrives, it should be ensured that someone is with the employee.
- Heatstroke - It occurs in employees who are exposed to heavy physical work in a warm and humid environment. It can manifest itself in the form of mild or severe thermoregulation disorder. The main disorder is dehydration.
- Symptoms: general weakness, dizziness, headache, confusion, ringing in the ears, thirst, sweating, flickering before the eyes, increased temperature, drop in blood pressure, red and moist skin, rapid pulse, rapid and shallow breathing, loss of consciousness.
- First aid - SEEK MEDICAL HELP URGENTLY! This is a medical emergency that can lead to death. Move the employee to the shade or a cooler area. If he is conscious, position him to lie on his back, give him water to drink, place wet compresses in the neck and groin area. If the employee is unconscious, place him in a lateral position. If there are symptoms that indicate the possibility of heatstroke, especially (hot and dry skin, cramps, fainting, delirium), you should immediately call an ambulance (number 124 for the whole of Montenegro) or transport the employee to the nearest health facility.
Bonus video:
