Open Google and enter the query - Heatwave. If you are in India, you will likely read headlines like ‘Warnings Issued Goa, Mumbai, And Bengal’, ‘Ahmedabad On Yellow Alert’, ‘Mumbai Recording The Highest Temperature In The Last 10 Years’, ‘Temperature In Odisha To Exceed 40°C Mark’, and more. In the wake of scorching heat and rising mercury, Maharashtra Health Department has issued guidelines for companies.
Video Credit: Nanaaba's Kitchen/ Instagram
The public health department is concerned about employees working in this weather and suffering from heat strokes, which is a prominent health concern during summer in India. These guidelines have come up considering harsh work conditions in factories and informal sectors.
Guidelines For Employers
- One of the primary guidelines issued for employers in Maharashtra is they have to provide employees with a supply of clean and cold drinking water. It will help people to beat the heat and experience respite in the harsh weather.
- The employers are also suggested to set reminders for 20 minutes throughout the day to remind employees to drink water. It will ensure that they remain hydrated and the chances of heat strokes will also be reduced.
- The guidelines instruct companies to build temporary shelter spaces for employees so that they can remain in the shadows during the hottest part of the day.
- Employers need to plan outdoor activities between mornings and evenings, instead of afternoons when the temperature is at its maximum.
- The health department also advised employers to provide employees with training to identify signs and symptoms of heat strokes, including nausea, dehydration, fatigue, vomiting, lack of sweta, etc., and get treated as soon as possible.
Heatwave Do’s And Don’ts By The Government Of India
If you visit the National Disaster Management Authority, Government of India, you can locate a list of do’s and don'ts to help you avoid heat strokes during summer. The list of food-related advisories includes,
- Drinking sufficient water, even if you are not thirsty
- Avoid high-protein food
- Carry water while travelling anywhere
- Avoid alcohol, coffee, tea, and carbonated soft drinks because it can dehydrate the body
- Drink ORS or homemade torani, lassi, buttermilk, lemonade, etc.
The website also has advice for the treatment of heat stroke. If you or someone you know has the symptoms, here are a few things you need to note,
- Wipe off the body to regulate the temperature. You can also pour normal-temperature water on the head.
- Drink ORS or homemade beverages like lemonade or buttermilk to rehydrate the body.
- Consult a healthcare expert immediately to avoid escalating health issues.
