No Outdoor Work During Peak Hours? Why Heatwave Restrictions Are Being Discussed in Delhi

Not everyone experiences extreme temperatures the same way during extreme heat. It is true that outdoor workers are more likely to be subjected to extreme heat than any other job type, particularly those workers with limited access to alternative methods for hydratiion and/or cooling and those who are required to work outdoors for extended periods of time.

The types of workers that are the most at risk for this phenomenon include but are not limited to: food delivery riders, traffic police, construction craftspeople, street vendors, sanitation workers, and gig economy transport drivers. In urban areas like New Delhi and Mumbai, there are multiple examples of this type of extreme heat exposure through work in the street and at busy intersections. In addition, all outdoor workers measuring ambient air temperature at the same location will generally be measuring a temperature that is much lower than the actual temperature at that same location.

Why These Jobs Are More Dangerous Than They Look

There are three main factors that contribute to extreme heat exposure risks for these workers: the extremely high maximum air temperatures, and the duration and intensity of their heat exposure.

For example: food delivery riders spend hours on the road without shelter from the sun, with exposure to extremely high air temperatures as well as heat generated by traffic; traffic police officers are typically required to remain in the same location for very long periods of time, usually with only limited access to shaded areas; construction workers typically experience extremely high air temperatures as a result of the reflection off of concrete and large machinery; and street vendors are typically in direct sun light for extended periods of time, with limited options for cooling.

The Hidden Impact on Health and Productivity

While many may only consider that discomfort results from prolonged exposure to extreme heat, individuals may also have:

•  Difficulty in concentrating and slower response time.
•  Higher likelihood of accidents; especially true for drivers and policemen.
•  Chronic dehydration leading to issues of long-term health.
•  Decreased productivity and loss of income.

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Practical Solutions That Can Make a Real Difference

This issue requires a dual approach (changing individual behaviour and providing structural solutions) in two stages as follows:

1. Immediate responses

•  Providing access to hydration stations as well as shaded areas where workers can relax and cool off

•  Providing mandatory cooling breaks for workers when the ambient temperatures are at their highest

• Ensuring that workers who are exposed to extreme temperatures are wearing appropriate PPEs (Personal Protective Equipment), including caps, cooling vests, and breathable uniforms

2. Policy level responses

•  Adjusting working hours to avoid working during the hottest parts of the day (midday)

•  Establishing heat safety guidelines for gig employers, employment boards (those who manage gig workers), employers, and to promote the health and safety of workers

•  Providing adequate public infrastructure in cities that includes shaded bus shelters and locations for individuals to cool down during heatwaves.

3.  Technological, Urban.

•  Adding trees and tree cover in and around the city to help reduce the heat that is typically experienced at the street level

•  Using reflective materials for road surfaces and other facets of urban design

•  Providing real-time heat alerts to outdoor workers (for example, by using a text messaging system).

Final Words

Heatwaves affect individuals differently, depending upon their degree of exposure and level of protection.  Acknowledging this exposure and level of protection is the first step.  The next step is to ensure that the individuals who keep our cities in operation are suitably protected against the increasing risks posed by extreme temperatures and heatwaves.

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