Working conditions during periods of extreme heat

Work arrangements

Special attention must be paid to at-risk individuals, pregnant women and anyone who works in affected premises, labs, workshops or any other space where heat levels can soar.

You can make temporary changes to your team’s working arrangements, as long as those changes are compatible with the needs of your team and the nature of its work. Possible changes include:

🔹 working remotely beyond the normal limits set out in the rules;
🔹 changing work schedules, such as scheduling shifts during cooler hours of the day or adjusting weekly working hours (flexible working hours);
🔹 introducing more frequent breaks, and taking breaks in cool areas;
🔹 postponing tasks that are not urgent or require a significant physical effort to a more suitable time;
🔹 taking back additional/overtime hours.

Other changes to work arrangements, such as a temporary reduction in working hours, can be considered on a case-by-case basis. Please get in touch with your PEXP Partner for such situations.

Airing out and cooling your work premises

🔹 Take advantage of the cooler temperatures at night to air out the rooms.
🔹 If possible, leave transom windows slightly open at night and fully open when you’re in the room during the day.
🔹 Try to create currents of air, such as by opening the windows on opposite walls.  

🔹Close windows and exterior blinds before the direct sunlight hits them during the day.
🔹 Minimize the sources of heat within a room, such as by turning off any unnecessary lighting, computer equipment and machines.
🔹 As a matter of principle, air-conditioning units are not permitted on campus for the purpose of cooling premises.
🔹 Units may purchase portable fans at their own expense. It is recommended that they choose fans that are not too noisy (such as those in the ‘Rowenta Turbo Silence Extreme’ range).
 

Staying cool

🔹At-risk and vulnerable individuals – such as pregnant and breastfeeding women, young workers and older people – should be especially careful.
🔹Pregnant women have the right to stop working if the temperature at the workplace reaches or exceeds 28°C.
🔹Be careful when doing any kind of laboratory work, including light tasks. Even healthy people are at risk at these temperatures, especially if they have to wear personal protective equipment. For those performing strenuous work – even in air-conditioned areas – it’s important to take proper breaks.
 

Listen to your body

🔹At-risk and vulnerable individuals – such as pregnant and breastfeeding women, young workers and older people – should be especially careful.
🔹Pregnant women have the right to stop working if the temperature at the workplace reaches or exceeds 28°C.
🔹Be careful when doing any kind of laboratory work, including light tasks. Even healthy people are at risk at these temperatures, especially if they have to wear personal protective equipment. For those performing strenuous work – even in air-conditioned areas – it’s important to take proper breaks.
 

If you have any questions, please contact [email protected].