The temperature and humidity conditions that are expected to prevail today, Tuesday or in the coming days are likely to create a very severe heat wave and require the regulation, restriction or even interruption of work, reports the Department of Labor Inspection u(TEE) of the Ministry of Labour and Social Insurance.
In a briefing to employers and self-employed persons, the Technical Chamber of Greece states that "these conditions may endanger employees who work exposed to heat stress and/or seriously affect their health".
For the purposes of implementing the relevant provisions, the TEE reminds that both employers and self-employed persons must measure, in the places where work is carried out, the parameters that contribute to heat stress.
According to the prevailing conditions of air temperature (under shade) and relative humidity, it is stated that they must adjust their work accordingly and implement a change of each task or rest or interruption of work, depending on the type of work performed, as well as other appropriate and adequate measures (organizational and technical), in cooperation with the local Employee Safety Representatives, to avoid or reduce thermal stress.
In particular, reference is made to the organization of working time so that heavy work is performed during the cooler hours of the day, but also to the organization of frequent short breaks for rest in a shady, cool place or properly air-conditioned area or in an area where fans are used where possible.
At the same time, it is necessary to configure / choose a shady place or construct suitable shelters for the execution of the work where possible, rotation of employees at work according to the type of activity performed and avoiding, where possible, strenuous work in the open air during the hottest hours of the day (12:00-16:00).
In addition, employees should be provided with cool drinking water (temperature 10 – 15°C), appropriate headgear should be provided and used, light, loose breathable clothing such as cotton goods should be used by employees, and appropriate sunglasses should be avoided, large meals or sugary foods or ingestion of alcoholic or caffeinated beverages should be avoided and employees should be trained.
According to the provisions of the Code of Practice, for temperature conditions from 39°C to 46°C, work must be stopped when relative humidity percentages prevail from one level and above, depending on the type and severity of the work.
Specifically, at 39°C for light work ≥ 53%, moderate ≥ 48% and heavy ≥ 42% respectively. At 40°C for light work ≥ 48%, for medium ≥ 43% and heavy ≥ 37%. At 41°C for light work ≥ 43%, for moderate ≥ 38% and heavy ≥ 33%. At 42°C for light work ≥ 39%, for medium ≥ 34% and heavy ≥ 28%. At 43°C for light work ≥ 34%, for moderate ≥ 29% and heavy ≥ 25%. At 44°C for light work ≥29%, for moderate ≥ 26% and heavy ≥ 21%. At 45°C for light work ≥ 25%, for medium ≥ 22% and heavy ≥ 18% and at 46°C for light work ≥ 23%, for moderate ≥ 19% and heavy ≥ 15%.
For more information, those interested can be informed from the website of the Technical Chamber of Greece in the Heat Stress section and/or contact the Inspectors at the local District Offices of the Department at 22879191 telephone numbers for Nicosia, 25827200 for Limassol, 24805327 for Larnaca, 26822715 for Paphos and 23819750 for Famagusta.
