Performing tasks efficiently. Engage in significant activities proficiently. Dedicate time towards achieving desired outcomes. Executing actions with precision and accuracy. - Experiencing perspiration once more: Workers endure thermal strain
In the office, it's sticky, and in the workshops and construction sites, it's scorching hot. With the rise in temperatures during recent summers, the workload has skyrocketed. A survey conducted by DAK-Gesundheit reveals that over one in five employees in Baden-Württemberg (22%) face substantial heat-related struggles at work. This equals around 1.4 million people statewide. The report, titled "Health Risk Heat: Workplace and Climate Change," sheds light on this issue.
Three-quarters of respondents admit that their performance is limited by excessive heat, while one in five experiences heat-related health issues.
The consequences of this heat are considerable. The report states that more employees are likely to fall ill with heart and circulatory diseases during the summer due to rising temperatures. "Heat-related health problems tend to occur slightly delayed, but largely in tandem with the daily temperature measurements," says DAK. Among those polled, 1.6% claim they experienced heat-related health conditions or reported them without a doctor's note the previous summer.
"Climate change is already causing more extreme weather conditions," states DAK regional manager Siegfried Euerle. "Heat is the greatest health risk, especially for employees." He urges the need to raise awareness about successful measures for climate and heat protection in businesses. According to Volker Nürnberg, expert for occupational health management, companies should expeditiously adapt all work processes and routines to account for heat periods.
DAK analyzed data from the 271,000 insured employees of its DAK branch in Baden-Württemberg, as well as responses from 1,000 employees (ages 18-65) over a two-week period last year.
Those most susceptible to heat include employees over 50 (27%), as well as people with physical or psychological chronic illnesses (30/36%). outdoor workers experience the heat more than office or retail employees. Additionally, those who engage physically are more vulnerable to the temperatures than their more mentally-focused counterparts.
"Our report is worrisome and indicates how heat waves are already affecting workplace conditions and employee well-being, health, and performance," says Euerle before the nationwide Heat Action Day on June 5th.
Measures for cooling and shade are standard practice and frequently used by employees. 85% of participants have access to workplaces that can be shaded or darkened. Additionally, about three-quarters (74%) receive drinks from their employer.
The Heat Action Day Initiative comprises several organizations, including the German Medical Association, Workers' Welfare Association, German Hospital Society, and statutory health insurance funds. The group has organized events and actions in various cities, focusing on heat protection for families and older people.
Baden-Württemberg's summer seems increasingly demanding. The previous summer, according to the German Weather Service (DWD), is among the series of hot summers registered in Germany. With an average temperature of 19.4 degrees, it was, according to DWD, 3.2 degrees warmer than the average of the internationally recognized reference period 1961-1990. Since 1996, DWD has been recording hot summers in Germany.
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In response to the increasing heat-related struggles at work, DAK-Germany conducted a survey in Baden-Württemberg and found that over one fifth of employees face heat-related issues. The report, titled "Health Risk Heat: Workplace and Climate Change," emphasizes the impact of climate change on employee health and performance, especially during heat periods. According to DAK, more employees are likely to suffer from heart and circulatory diseases during summer due to rising temperatures.
Fortunately, measures to combat heat are already in place in many workplaces. For instance, 85% of participants have access to shaded or darkened workspaces, and about three-quarters receive refreshments from their employers.
The Heat Action Day Initiative, a collaboration of several organizations, has organized events and actions in various cities to raise awareness about heat protection, focusing on families and the elderly.
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Source: www.stern.de
