So the Aichach-Friedberger defy the brooding heat in the workplace!

So the Aichach-Friedberger defy the brooding heat in the workplace!

The temperatures in the Aichach-Friedberg district have exceeded the 30-degree mark, and the summer is impressive from its impressively hot side. The question that many people concerns is whether this is a seasonal weather phenomenon or whether we already feel the effects of climate change. [Augsburger Allgemeine] (https://www.augsburger-allgemeine.de/aichach/so-lege-im-Landkreis-aic--friedberg-an--s-arbeitsplatz-wer-hitze-um-um-um-um-um-um-um-um-um-um-um-um-um-um-um-um-um-um-um-um-um-um-um-um-um-um-um-um-mar-me--mar-um-m11038380) reports. For many who work in the blazing sun, however, the high temperatures are a special challenge.

The heat not only affects leisure activities, but also has an impact on the health of the employees. According to the DAK health report 2024, 22.9 % of employees feel heavily burdened by heat during their work. It is worrying that 19.5 % of the employees experience health problems related to high temperatures, including fatigue and circulatory problems. This has a direct impact on labor productivity, as well as DGUV, because high temperatures affect both the physical performance and the concentration of the employees.

Health risks through heat load

for older and female employees as well as for those with physical activity, the heat proves to be particularly stressful. In 2023, sick leave was 5.5 %, and it is no secret that heating conditions favor diseases such as respiratory diseases and muscle skeleton diseases. The DAK reports on an increase in sick leave due to circulatory diseases with the increasing thermometer. During the 2018 heat wave, heat sickness with temperatures from 30.8 ° C rose suddenly, which illustrates how crucial preventive measures are in the workplace.

The DGUV offers helpful tips for prevention. For interiors, for example, the temperatures should not exceed 26 ° C. In the case of exceeding, sun protection measures such as outdoor blinds and effective ventilation systems are essential. But there are also crucial measures to be observed outdoors: Employers have to provide their employees with sufficient shade and cooling drinks and minimize the stays in the sun, especially in the midday sun between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m.

prevention measures in companies

The DAK study also shows that only 28 % of the employees report that their managers pay attention to the health risks due to heat load. With regard to the requirements of the modern world of work, 66 % require an improvement in climate protection measures in their companies. 74 % of the companies now offer opportunities to cool the workplace or the provision of drinks. Nevertheless, 46 % of the employees do not use the opportunity to adapt their working hours to the heat, and only 17.9 % can benefit from a “siesta”.

The challenge of dealing with the heat is therefore clear: it is up to the company to establish effective measures and inform employees about their opportunities. In this hot summer, not only the motto to get through, but also to protect the health of the employees and to adapt the workplace conditions to the increasing temperatures. A good step in the right direction could be more attention for these topics and a rethink in the way of working.