Employers must implement measures such as installing cooling equipment, and providing drinking water and rest breaks for outdoor workers starting from Monday next week, the Taipei Department of Labor said on Sunday.
Employers who fail to comply could face fines of NT$30,000 to NT$300,000 under the Occupational Safety and Health Act (職業安全衛生法), the department said.
Businesses in Taipei employing fewer than 100 workers, as well as registered self-employed workers with labor insurance coverage, could receive on-site assessments and guidance from occupational safety consultants to help them apply for central government subsidies to implement or improve heat-protection measures, it said.
Photo: Screen grab from the Central Weather Bureau
Under the Ministry of Labor’s subsidy guidelines, companies with 51 to 100 employees can apply for assistance for engineering controls such as shading and cooling systems, including water-cooled fans, while workplaces with 50 or fewer employees can apply for personal heat-protection equipment such as cooling vests and circulating water-cooling vests.
The department said it would also distribute neck fans, cooling towels, sun hats and water bottles to applicants from Monday next week to Sept. 30, while supplies last.
Meanwhile, the Health Promotion Administration (HPA) yesterday encouraged people to drink water throughout the day to stay hydrated, especially amid hot weather, adding that water should not be replaced by sugary, caffeinated or alcoholic beverages, as they might exacerbate dehydration.
The Central Weather Administration (CWA) has forecast steady hot weather across Taiwan through Thursday, with temperatures in some areas reaching 37°C or higher.
While outdoors, people should stay alert to heat-related health risks, which can easily occur in hot and humid environments, as body temperature might rise if their sweat cannot evaporate efficiently, the HPA said.
The agency encouraged people to follow three principles — stay cool, hydrate and be mindful — when in hot and humid weather to prevent heat-related illnesses.
First, to stay cool, people should wear loose-fitting, breathable and light-colored clothes, it said, adding that people should use an umbrella, or wear a wide-brimmed hat and sunglasses for protection from the sun.
They should also keep indoor environments well-ventilated and use air-conditioning or an electric fan to cool rooms, the HPA said.
Second, people should stay hydrated by drinking water often based on the weather, their activity level and sweat loss throughout the day, and should not wait until they are thirsty to drink water, it said.
People should also avoid beverages that are high in sugar, caffeine or alcohol, as they might exacerbate dehydration, it added.
Third, people should pay attention to the CWA’s heat alerts and try to avoid going out between 10am and 2pm when the temperature is highest, and if they must go outside, they should walk in the shade and make sure to protect themselves from the sun, the HPA said.
If people notice their body temperature rising, skin becoming hot, dry and red, and their heartbeat getting faster, they should immediately leave the high-temperature environment and try to cool down their body, such as by loosening their clothes, wiping their body with water or using a fan to cool down, it said.
They should also drink cool water with a small amount of salt or electrolyte beverages, but try to avoid drinking a large amount of ice water all at once, the agency said, adding that if their symptoms continue, they should seek medical attention immediately.
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