The Fourth Wave of Heat began on July 1 in Mexico and is expected to end on the 10th of this month, days in which temperatures between 30 and 45 degrees Celsius are expected throughout the national territory, according to specialists from the National Autonomous University. of Mexico (UNAM). In the work environment, these high temperatures cause ‘occupational heat stress’, a disorder that alters the development of productive activities, explains Felipe Cuadra, specialist in organizational development and co-founder of Rankmi, 360º software for Human Capital management.
According to UNAM specialists, the states most affected by this meteorological phenomenon, also known as heatwave, will be: Campeche, Coahuila, Chihuahua, Tamaulipas, Veracruz, Yucatán, Guerrero, Michoacán, Oaxaca, Sonora, Tabasco, Nuevo León, San Luis Potosi and Sinaloa.
The impact of heat on labor productivity is a relevant issue, especially at this time when we experience increases in temperatures that have the potential to affect our health and performance, so it is highly recommended that companies take measures to prevent affectations to your personal.
Felipe Cuadra, specialist in organizational development and co-founder of Rankmi.
Safety and hygiene conditions at work
The International Labor Organization (ILO) created guidelines to address the impact of climate change in work environments, for example, it recommends that work environments have adequate conditions to avoid extreme temperatures, take breaks to avoid dehydration, exhaustion or heat stroke and that workers have guaranteed access to drinking water.
In this sense, in the country there is “Official Mexican Standard Nom-015-Stps-2001”Elevated or lowered thermal conditions-Safety and hygiene conditions”, whose objective is to establish the conditions, levels and maximum permissible times of exposure to extreme thermal conditions, which, due to their characteristics, type of activities, level, time and frequency of exposure, are capable of altering the health of collaborators, and applies to for all workplaces in Mexico where there is exposure to extreme thermal conditions.
The “thermal stress at work” generated by high temperatures can cause everything from a simple headache to the appearance of weakness, fatigue, skin irritation, muscle cramps, nausea, profuse sweating, dehydration, confusion and respiratory problems, among others. . As body temperature rises above 37°C, our brain is forced to allocate more resources to regulate it, affecting attention, concentration and memory.
Guarantees the conditions to avoid occupational thermal stress
In this sense, it is essential, by law, that workplaces guarantee the necessary conditions to counteract the negative impacts of “occupational heat stress”. In this sense, Felipe Cuadra recommends:
- Avoid exposure to extreme temperatures, frequent drafts and sudden changes, ensuring that employees can work at a stable temperature throughout the workday.
- Acclimatize employees to the heat according to the physical effort they make, adjusting work rhythms to temperature tolerance and keeping them adequately hydrated.
- Avoid direct sources of sunlight through windows or structures, creating a comfortable work environment.
- In terms of productivity, companies must anticipate that workers exposed to high temperatures may experience difficulties in performing their duties, which can cause a decrease in the productivity of organizations.
Finally, the expert points out that companies and workers have the responsibility to guarantee that the environment is as comfortable as possible for everyone, since in this way health risks are avoided and efficiency in work activities is promoted.
Excessive heat causes physical discomfort and generates anxiety, stress, irritability and fatigue in employees. All these effects translate into a significant decrease in labor productivity.
Felipe Cuadra, specialist in organizational development and co-founder of Rankmi.
Editorial Team The editorial team of EMPRENDEDOR.com, which for more than 27 years has worked to promote entrepreneurship.