Medical coverage - Extreme heat affects approximately 20% of the workforce.
In the region of Rhineland-Palatinate, around 450,000 workers are negatively impacted by the heat during their jobs. This signifies that 22% of employees have a significant response to heat waves, in accordance with the health insurance company DAK. Nationally, this rate is approximately 23%. The insights are obtained from the document "Health Risk Heat. The Working World in Climate Change."
The IGES Institute analyzed statistics from 149,000 working DAK-insured individuals in Rhineland-Palatinate. In addition, approximately 200 employees between the ages of 18 and 65 in Rhineland-Palatinate were surveyed between August 22 and September 8, 2023.
The report indicates that 72% of workers see their performance constrained by excessive temperatures, while 16% have health issues related to the heat. Just over half (66%) feel slightly hindered, whilst 7% feel considerably restrained.
Employees over 50 and individuals with chronic physical or mental illnesses are particularly susceptible to the warmth. Among those predominantly working outdoors, the percentage of those significantly affected is more than twice as high compared to those indoors (17%).
"Heat presents a significant health risk, not just for risk groups like the elderly and young children, but also in the work environment," said Rainer Lange, leader of DAK health. "In a time of climate change, a shift in awareness and further education in heat protection is necessary."
Rising temperatures and worsening health go hand in hand. "This report illustrates clearly the effects that heat waves already have on work conditions today. By disregarding this dilemma, you put the well-being, performance, and ultimately the health of your team at risk," mentioned Lange.
There is a direct link between increasing temperatures and an overabundance of illnesses, primarily heart and circulatory diseases. "Firms must implement measures to protect their personnel from heat as swiftly as possible," said Volker Nürnberg, professional in occupational health management. "Heat is actively affecting productivity."
More than 25% of employees predict a deterioration in working conditions because of recurrent heat periods. Almost three-quarters have the chance to take protective measures at their workplace; they can darken their work area (75%) and acquire suitable beverages from their employer (72%).
Employer-based measures such as telecommuting or adjusting working hours are less customary. Only 15% of employees have the choice to take a nap, though a substantial portion (44%) would not utilize it.
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In Rhineland-Palatinate, DAK, the health insurance company, reported that 22% of their insured workers in the region have a significant response to heat waves, which is slightly lower than the national average of 23%. Furthermore, Mainz-based IGES Institute analyzed statistics from DAK-insured individuals in the region and found that approximately 16% of employees have health issues related to the heat.
