Working in hot summer entails high risk. A case in point is a worker who fainted while cleaning a water tower at the rooftop of a restaurant in Taoyuan on July 11, 2021. He then fell into the bottom of the water tower. Fortunately, he was saved by the fire service rescuers and was fine after taking some water and resting. Illness caused by performing outdoor work in Summer due to the heat is frequently heard. OSHA specifically reminds the public not to overlook the danger while performing outdoor works and take proper measures to prevent hazards from high temperatures for occupational safety.

According to OSHA, Taiwan is now in the hot summer season. Enterprises engaged in construction, advertising board installation, electricity pole maintenance, delivery order service, and road work should take measures to reduce heat with shade or spraying water and arrange for more break time, provide adequate drinking water, adjust the work hours to avoid high temperatures and prevent the hazard that triggers possible illness. Since Taiwan is hot and humid in summer, employers should provide suitable training and adjust the outdoor work hours of the labor on the basis of their previous physical condition so that the labor can be prepared to withstand the change in temperature and humidity. In addition, work in plurality mechanism shall be developed so that they could help one another, monitor one another or supervise one another at any time and respond to any sudden change of physical condition. Labor should also remember to “drink more water, take more rest, and work under shade” for assuring occupational safety and health in hot summer.

OSHA further reminds employers that they should let labors understand the hazard of working at high temperature and the operation procedure. If the labor feels sick, stop the operation at once and take necessary measures. Wait until they return to normal before continuing the operation. In summer, OSHA specifically intensifies the pursuit of the supervision and inspection of the hazard from high-temperature schemes. Employers who decline to take relevant occupational safety and health measures to prevent the hazard from high temperature in accordance with applicable laws governing occupational safety and health that caused injury or fatality to the labor shall be subject to investigation and punishment under the law.