For everyone who works indoors in places where the heat builds up.

During this heatwave — amber warnings, up to 36°C and a national heat plan in force until around Tuesday 30 June — all the attention goes to people working outdoors. But under a steel roof, next to an oven or among running machines, the temperature often climbs even higher than outside. And unlike on the street, there is no breeze indoors to cool you down.

Do you work in a warehouse, production hall, bakery, laundry or kitchen? Then this is for you.

Why indoors calls for extra care

Machines, ovens and motors all produce heat. A steel roof or a hall without good ventilation traps that heat. Humidity rises from steam or from the sweat of a whole shift. As a result your body cools down less effectively: you sweat, but it doesn’t evaporate well — and it is exactly that evaporation that cools you.

The upshot: you overheat faster than you think, even though you are “just indoors”.

The do’s

Drink continuously. Keep a bottle of water within reach and take a few sips every quarter of an hour. On a hot working day you will easily need two to three litres.

Take your breaks somewhere cool. During breaks, head for the coolest space available — an air-conditioned canteen, a shady spot outside, or by a fan. Really cooling down does more than you’d think.

Ask for air movement. A fan, open doors creating a draught, or mechanical extraction make a big difference. Report it if the ventilation isn’t working.

Dress light. Wear light, breathable clothing wherever it’s allowed. If you have to wear protective clothing or PPE, build in extra breaks, because the temperature underneath rises fast.

Alternate heavy work. Spread the heavy tasks across the day and the shift, and don’t do them all at the hottest part of the afternoon.

The don’ts

Don’t underestimate it because you’re indoors. “It’s only indoors” is exactly the trap. A hall can easily reach 35°C or more without any sun.

Don’t skip drinking because you’re busy or a toilet break is awkward. Dehydration creeps up on you.

Don’t ignore dizziness or headache. Not feeling well? Say so, sit down somewhere cool and drink. Pushing on only makes it worse.

Recognise heat exhaustion

Watch for these in yourself and your colleagues: heavy sweating, headache, dizziness, nausea, muscle cramp, a light-headed or confused feeling. Does someone suddenly stop sweating, does their skin feel hot and dry, or do they become confused? It may be heatstroke — call 112 immediately and cool the person aggressively with water and cool cloths.

In closing

Working indoors doesn’t automatically mean working cool. Drink plenty, take your break somewhere cool, make sure there’s air movement and look out for each other. That keeps the work safe, even as the hall heats up.

E-lia helps organisations reach their people — including those who aren’t sat behind a desk — quickly, with safety instructions via WhatsApp. No app, no log-in codes.