For everyone who works outdoors — in construction, landscaping, infrastructure or out on the road.

It is only June and a heatwave is already here. Forecasters expect temperatures of up to 36°C, with amber heat warnings and a national heat plan in force. The heat is set to last until the end of next week, around Tuesday 30 June. If you work outdoors, you feel it like no one else: the sun on your neck, a helmet that traps the heat, and a body working overtime to stay cool.

The good news: a few simple agreements keep the work both safe and manageable. Here are the most important do’s and don’ts.

First things first: what does heat do to your body?

When it is hot, your body sweats to cool down. Doing heavy work in full sun, you can lose one to two litres of fluid an hour. Drink too little and you become dehydrated, your concentration drops and the risk of mistakes and accidents rises. If your body keeps overheating, things can go badly wrong — from heat cramp and heat exhaustion to heatstroke, and that last one is life-threatening.

So heat is not something to just “push through”. It is a safety risk, just like working at height or with machinery.

The do’s

Start early. Schedule heavy work for the cooler morning hours and avoid hard physical effort between 12.00 and 15.00 — the hottest part of the day. Ask your supervisor whether the rota can shift.

Work 45, rest 15. On very hot days, do no more than 45 minutes of heavy work at a stretch, then take at least 15 minutes’ break, ideally somewhere cool and otherwise in the shade.

Drink before you feel thirsty. Take a few sips of water every quarter of an hour. Don’t wait until you feel thirsty — by then you are already behind. Skip the energy drinks and cola; water or a sports drink works better.

Find or make shade. Work in the shade wherever you can, or set up a work tent or parasol made of UV-resistant material.

Dress wisely. Wear light, breathable clothing that covers the body, plus a cap with a neck flap or a wide-brimmed hat. Apply sunscreen (at least SPF 30) to exposed skin and reapply it.

Look out for each other. Keep an eye on your colleagues. Dizziness, headache, nausea, confusion or no longer sweating are warning signs. In doubt? Stop, cool down, report it.

The don’ts

Don’t go into full sun at 30°C or more. And don’t work at height either: if the heat makes you unwell, you don’t want to be up on scaffolding or a roof.

Don’t ignore the signs. Headache, cramp or a light-headed feeling are not making a fuss. It is your body putting on the brakes.

Don’t cut corners on safety. Taking off protective clothing because it is hot may feel logical, but it increases your risk. Instead, talk to your supervisor about how the work can be made cooler.

Don’t do heavy work alone in the heat. Make sure someone can keep an eye on you.

Recognise the warning signs

In closing

Heat is part of summer, but an accident caused by overheating is not. The rules are simple: start early, drink often, take breaks in time and look out for each other. That way everyone gets home safely in the evening.

Want to inform your people out in the field quickly and without hassle about working safely in the heat? E-lia sends safety instructions straight via WhatsApp — no app, no log-in codes.