Dear colleagues,
With the extreme heat of today and the coming days, we would like to give you some pointers to keep cool and prevent health issues.
ON THE ROAD
When commuting, make sure you’re equipped in case of a mechanical problem with your means of transport, whether you’re coming by car, by public transport or by bike. Use sunscreen and always have sufficient water with you. If you have to wait for whatever reason, find shade. Dehydration or a sunstroke occur much faster than you would expect.
AIRCO
Air conditioning can be very soothing with temperatures like these, but there are risks. Don’t turn the airco in your car too low down. Sudden and big changes in temperature and humidity can affect the respiratory system and even your heart. A temperature difference of about 10°C is a healthy margin. This is also the reason why we will adapt the settings of the air conditioning of the Head Office for the coming period.
WINDOW BLINDS
If you have window blinds in your office, keep them down to keep out heat. Also when you don’t have direct sunlight, this can make a difference.
PATIO
We expect the temperatures in the patio to rise well above 40°C this week. There is little air circulation in the patio and quite some reflection of sunlight. We recommend to have your lunch in the restaurant. If you choose to eat outside, avoid direct sunlight and pick a place in the shade. With the expected UV index, it is not recommended to sit unprotected in the sun longer than 25 minutes.
OZONE
Today we will reach the warning threshold for ozone. The alarm threshold for ozone will be reached on tomorrow. Values will go down again on Friday, but the air quality will still be mediocre. This means that even though you might not be in a risk group (cardiovascular problems, pregnancy, asthma, …), you might be affected. Exposure to ozone reduces lung function. Possible symptoms due to an ozone peak are shortness of breath or abnormal breathing, eye irritation, throat irritation, and headache. Going for a run during lunch is obviously a very bad idea. The air quality inside the building will be better than outside, but we still recommend not to go to the fitness. If you want to sport, do so in the morning when ozone values are still low and listen carefully to your body.
WHAT IF YOU DON’T FEEL GOOD?
If you feel nauseous (headache, dizziness or even more severe, fever, increased heart rate and breathing) do not hesitate to call a BESIX First Aider. Our First Aiders are trained to respond adequately. You can find their names on the alarm cards of each floor.
Kind regards,
The QHSE Department