Introducing engineering measures to control the thermal effects in a workplace environment such as:
- Insulating any plant which acts as a radiant heat source, thereby improving air movement, increasing
ventilation rates and maintaining the appropriate level of humidity.
- Orientating the building so that it doesn’t suffer from the effects of solar loading, or where this is not possible, by the use of blinds or shutters on windows.
- Using cab heaters in fork-lift trucks working in cold stores if it is not reasonably practicable to avoid exposure.
Restriction of exposure by, for example, re-organising tasks to build in rest periods or other breaks from work. This will allow workers to rest in an
area where the environment is comfortable and, if necessary, to replace bodily fluids to combat dehydration or cold.
If work rates cause excessive sweating, workers may need more frequent rest breaks and a facility for changing into dry clothing.
Medical pre-selection of employees to ensure that they are fit to work in these environments.
Use of suitable personal protective clothing (which may need to be heat resistant or insulating, depending on whether the risk is from heat or cold)
Training in the precautions to be taken.
Supervision, to ensure that the precautions identified by the assessment are taken.
Acclimatisation of workers to the environment in which they work, particularly for hot environments.