EASY-TO-FOLLOW RULES PROTECT THE HEALTH OF WORKERS IN HEAT

The International Labor Organization last year listed occupational safety and health as a fundamental human right of workers. All over the world, this issue is being looked at more and more seriously, and Bulgaria always has something to learn from the legislation of other countries in this area. This was said by Jasmina Sarivanova, "Social Dialogue" expert at BIA, in the program "Business Start" with host Roselina Petkova.

Precautions should always be taken, both by employers and workers, when working in extremely high temperatures like the ones seen so far this year. It should be thought in several directions. First of all, everything depends on the activity of the enterprise - whether it is work in the open air or work in closed rooms, whether it is hard physical work or rather intellectual work. On the basis of these specifics, measures should also be taken in individual companies, Sarivanova explained.

According to her, there are also some general rules that are good to state again, although maybe we all know them theoretically, but many times we don't implement them as workers. They are related to drinking a lot of fluids, using the cooler hours of the day, not going out excessively in the heat, following a diet that excludes the consumption of very heavy meals, not using alcohol in the most -the hot parts of the day.

Employers should consult with their occupational health services and find out how the work process can be reorganized. Work can be started earlier in the day and more physiological breaks can be taken, after which additional work may be required, which should be at a later stage of the day when the sun is not so bright, the expert advised.

"This is mainly about outdoor work - when we talk about construction sites and when we talk about agricultural work".

Nowadays, a large part of the agricultural machinery is also equipped with air conditioners. They should be used, and here one must be careful not to go suddenly into different temperatures - from very cool to very warm, Sarivanova warned.

"The World Health Organization gives the recommended temperatures and for more serious physical work they can be from 16 to 24 degrees, and for office buildings between 18 and 24 degrees are recommended. A sharp transition from one temperature to another should be avoided."

According to the expert, the risk of fires is very often overlooked, because many times when an activity is carried out outdoors, it is not taken into account that a thrown butt or the use of welding equipment and similar equipment can lead to a fire. Therefore, designated smoking areas must be used and all safety requirements must be observed.

"Almost all employers provide water for their employees, and all of us, as workers, sometimes even have to drink more fluids and refrain from other things that would harm us," said Sarivanova categorically.