Take proper measures to prevent heat stress and ensure the safety and health of workers

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This post was last edited by yinkuilin6868 on 2016-6-12 at 18:27. **Notice from the General Office of the State Administration of Work Safety regarding measures to prevent heat-related illnesses during the summer season – An Jian Han [2016] No. 117. To the work safety supervision bureaus of all provinces, autonomous regions, municipalities directly under the Central Government, and the Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps: In recent years, heat-related illnesses and even deaths among workers have occurred from time to time due to the high temperatures in summer. At present, various regions across the country are about to enter a period of high temperatures and scorching heat. To effectively carry out measures to prevent heat-related issues, to prevent and control heatstroke incidents, and to ensure the safety and health of workers, the following instructions are given regarding relevant matters: First, strengthen organizational leadership and make careful plans for these efforts. Given the seasonal nature of heat-related problems, safety supervision departments at all levels should plan in advance, make thorough arrangements for heat prevention measures in their respective areas before the onset of hot weather, clarify task responsibilities, assign duties, and ensure proper implementation of these measures. It is necessary to step up publicity efforts regarding heat prevention and cooling measures, making full use of various communication channels such as radio, television, newspapers, the internet, and WeChat to disseminate knowledge on heat prevention and cooling as well as relevant laws and regulations, thereby enhancing the self-protection awareness among workers and the general public. Second, clarify the responsible parties and strengthen the implementation of measures. Employers are the ones responsible for heat prevention and cooling measures; they must thoroughly implement the \"Administrative Measures for Heat Prevention and Cooling Measures\" (An Jian Zong An Jian [2012] No. 89) and ensure that all relevant measures are put into practice. (1) Arrange homework time reasonably. It is necessary to reasonably arrange and adjust workers’ working hours in hot weather based on production characteristics and specific conditions. 1. When the daily maximum temperature exceeds 40°C, outdoor work for that day should be stopped. 2. When the daily maximum temperature exceeds 37°C but is below 40°C, employers shall not arrange for workers to carry out outdoor work for more than 6 hours in total throughout the day; the continuous working time shall not exceed the **specified limit, and no outdoor work shall be assigned during the 3 hours when the temperature is at its highest. 3. When the daily maximum temperature exceeds 35°C but is below 37°C, employers shall adopt measures such as shift rotation to reduce the continuous working time of workers, and shall not arrange overtime for workers engaged in outdoor work. (II) Implement various preventive measures properly. 1. Before the arrival of hot weather, organize occupational health examinations for workers engaged in high-temperature work. Workers suffering from heart, lung, or cerebrovascular diseases, pulmonary tuberculosis, central nervous system disorders, or other health conditions that make them unsuitable for high-temperature work should have their job assignments adjusted. 2. Strengthen the dissemination of knowledge on heat prevention and cooling to improve workers’ awareness and ability to protect themselves. 3. Develop an emergency plan for heatstroke and organize drills. When workers exhibit symptoms of heatstroke, immediate treatment measures should be taken; those with severe conditions should be promptly taken to medical facilities for treatment. If a worker suffers from heatstroke as a result of working in high-temperature conditions or during hot weather, and it is diagnosed as an occupational disease, applications should be made on behalf of the worker to obtain workers’ compensation benefits. 4. Workers engaged in high-temperature work shall be provided with heat-relief beverages and essential medications; cash or other items cannot be used as a substitute for these heat-relief beverages and essential medications, and they cannot be used to offset the high-temperature allowance. 5. Pay workers high-temperature allowances in accordance with relevant regulations. Third, strengthen supervision and law enforcement to address violations. Safety supervision agencies at all levels should increase their oversight of industries and organizations where heatstroke incidents are likely to occur, and urge employers to implement effective measures to prevent heat-related illnesses ； Urge the relevant industry authorities to strengthen supervision and inspection of the implementation of heat prevention and cooling measures at construction sites, outdoor work areas, and jobs involving high temperatures. Regarding acts that violate **relevant regulations and pose a threat to the health of workers, safety supervision agencies at all levels must take action in accordance with laws and regulations, order employers to make proper corrections, and strengthen oversight of these corrections to ensure that they are properly implemented. **General Office of the State Administration of Work Safety, June 6, 2016