Occupational physician demands: Switzerland should switch to siesta

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Work at the construction site is a huge cramp, even on normal days. The current tropical temperature is really affecting construction workers. Büezer felt this most in road construction. At temperatures above 30 degrees, health risks and the risk of accidents increase significantly. The occupational physician at Swiss accident insurance company Suva is therefore flirting with a model based on the southern model. “Personally, I think we can learn from Mediterranean countries. In terms of occupational medicine, we can’t help but think about a siesta,” says Christine Marty in an interview with “Tages-Anzeiger.”

Accordingly, employees would start a little earlier in the morning, take a longer break (siesta) in the afternoon, and continue their work in the afternoon. That’s why workers wouldn’t work in the early afternoon – this is exactly when the heat is highest and UV exposure is highest.

More accidents on hot days

The Unia union demanded on Monday that construction companies stop work no later than 35 degrees Celsius. In Switzerland, there is no heat break when the thermometer shows a certain temperature.

However, some construction companies are already implementing siesta-like working hours on hot days. According to Marty, it would make sense to comprehensively consider such a model in the future. However, this requires a political process.

The annual number of hot days in Switzerland has tripled since the 1960s. This involves risks: from 30 degrees onwards, the risk of accidents increases during physically strenuous work. According to Suva, there are five to ten more accidents than usual on such days.

employer responsibility

Some workers collapse to the ground under intense heat. But decreased concentration or poorer sleep also increases the number of accidents on hot days. It is especially cruel to those who work in road construction. The processed asphalt is about 160 degrees hot. Combined with temperatures above 30 degrees, the street turns into a blazing furnace.

In such cases, employers are responsible. You should take appropriate precautions, such as taking more frequent breaks and providing shaded areas.

From 32 degrees the load should be reduced

There are a number of recommendations for working in the construction industry from the construction workers association, unions, as well as the federal government. They urge employees to protect themselves with loose-fitting clothing, hats and sunscreen.

For moderate-to-heavy physical work above 25 degrees, the federal government recommends avoiding overtime and doing tedious work, especially in the early morning. If it is above 32 degrees, the workload should be reduced, working hours should be adjusted and additional breaks should be given. From grade 36 onwards, the federal government speaks of a “major health risk” and recommends that the situation be evaluated on the spot by a recognized expert. (smt)

Source :Blick