Climate change is no longer just a prediction for the future, but a reality that is already having an impact on daily working life. In particular, rising temperatures and the associated heatwaves not only pose environmental and economic challenges, but also have a direct impact on the health and well-being of your workforce. Find out more about the health risk of heat in the workplace here.
Health risk of heat in the workplaces - analysing the effects
This DAK analysis is based on extensive data from various sources, including incapacity for work data, weather data and a broad-based survey of the labour force. If you are interested in the exact data sets, you can find the analysed incapacity for work data in the reporting years 2022 and 2023 from page 164 onwards.
Let’s take a look together at the direct impact of heatwaves on the health and performance of your employees.
How heat in the workplace jeopardises health - sickness rates and sick leave over the course of 2023
In 2023, the sickness rate in Germany was at a record level for the second year in a row. Well over half of employees had at least one sick note. In addition to colds and musculoskeletal disorders, mental illness in particular is the reason for the exploding sickness rate. As the latest DAK Health Report 2024 shows, sickness-related absences have risen by 13 per cent compared to the previous year. Overall, the sickness rate in companies in Germany was 5.5 per cent. Well over half of employees had at least one sick note between January and December 2023, with an average of 20 days’ absence per person.
The development of sick leave in the months of May to September shows a parallel increase in sick leave due to circulatory diseases and an increase in daytime temperatures in all the years analysed. Even if these effects have not yet had a major impact on the overall sickness rate, the results emphasise the influence of hot spells on the health of employees. Reduced performance is currently still at the forefront of the effects. However, productivity losses during periods of hot weather have so far been caused less by certified sick leave than by sometimes significant restrictions in performance. Just under one in five employees have health problems in the heat, and seven per cent of these require treatment.
Almost two thirds of employees state that more should be done to protect the climate overall. These figures emphasise the health risk of heat in the workplace
Summary of the main points - health risk of heat in the workplace
With the help of this year’s focus topic of the DAK Health Report, already known scientific findings for the general population on the health consequences of climate change in general and heat in particular can now also be transferred to employees in Germany. Even the relatively healthy group of employees is affected by heat: During heatwaves, around 23 per cent of employees feel severely stressed by their activities at work. A further 40 per cent state that they are moderately stressed by the heat.
Older and female employees are more affected than young or male employees. Those who work physically are more affected by heat than those who work mentally, and those who work indoors are less affected by heat during work than those who work outdoors. Employees with chronic physical or mental illnesses and obese employees are also more affected by heat at work than employees without these illnesses
Almost two thirds of employees state that more should be done to protect the climate overall.
Prevention of health risks due to heat in the workplace
In light of the alarming results of the DAK Health Report 2024, it is clear that heat in the workplace is not just a temporary inconvenience, but a serious health risk. To ensure the health and well-being of our employees, it is therefore crucial to take preventive measures and adapt working conditions accordingly. Specific measures to reduce heat stress in the workplace could include the following.
Air conditioning and ventilation systems
Installing air conditioning or improving ventilation systems in workspaces can help to keep the room temperature at a comfortable level.
Shading
The installation of sun protection devices such as blinds, awnings or sun sails on windows and façades can help to reduce direct sunlight and thus lower the room temperature.
Cooling options
Providing chilled drinking water or other refreshing drinks at the workplace to keep employees hydrated.
Flexible working hours
The option of flexible working hours to avoid particularly hot parts of the day can help employees to escape the heat better.
Break regulations
Adjusting break arrangements to allow for longer breaks or rest periods during heat-stressed hours can help employees to recover and regenerate.
Protective clothing and work equipment
Provision of lightweight, breathable workwear and ergonomic work equipment to reduce heat stress in the workplace.
Occupational health management
Implementation of a comprehensive occupational health management system that includes regular health checks, counselling services and support in dealing with health risks in the workplace.
