Ministers finally warm up: Government of FBiH issues recommendations ahead of cold spell

Ministers in the Government of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina only warmed up today, and just as meteorologists announce a cold spell, recommendations for the population are being issued, Patria writes.

Namely, only today, implementing the conclusions of the 115th session of the Government of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, held on August 9, 2017, the federal ministries of labor and social policy and health issued a joint statement, stating that due to the extremely high temperatures that have affected the territory of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina in July and August and continuously negatively impact the health of the population, especially chronic patients, pregnant women, children, outdoor workers, but also healthy young people who spend a large part of the day on the streets, as well as the working-active population, with the aim of reducing health risks, it is necessary to take the following recommended measures.

- One of them is that working hours at the level of primary health care and specialist-consultative services start at 7:00 AM, and that priority in providing health care services be given to chronic patients, young children, pregnant women, and persons over 65 years of age. Parents who bring their children for vaccination against infectious diseases should do so no later than 10:00 AM – they say from the Government of FBiH.

Furthermore, they say that employers for employees performing outdoor work should consider the possibility of suspending outdoor work in the period from 12:00 to 16:00, and resuming after 16:00.

If the work process is organized so that it is impossible to apply this measure, the recommendation to employers is to move the start of working hours for outdoor workers to 6:00 AM. Working hours may also be shortened in proportion to the harmful impact of working conditions on the health and work ability of the worker.

Institutions that start work at 9:00 AM should move the start of working hours to 8:00 AM. Employers should enable workers diagnosed with chronic diseases to use annual leave, as well as leave in accordance with the law, collective agreement, or work regulations. Employers should also allow more casual attire for employees in institutions, companies, and government bodies, as well as at official events.

For outdoor workers, employers should ensure preparation (acclimatization) for conditions of high temperatures, inform and educate them about the prevention of possible consequences of working in high temperatures, enable more frequent breaks for workers in the shade, ensure redistribution of tasks - moving the heavier part of the work to cooler parts of the day. Plenty of fluids should be taken - one glass of cooled water every 15-20 minutes. Also, equipment and means of personal protection at work should be adjusted - use summer suits, hats, scarves, and wear light, bright, and comfortable clothing made of natural materials – they say from the Government.

Workers, especially those working outdoors, should have a proper diet, adapted to weather conditions, which involves avoiding heavy, hot, and large meals, consuming fresh fruits and vegetables, and not consuming alcohol, coffee, and carbonated drinks.

- For indoor workers, employers should ensure the use of cooling systems (air conditioners, fans...), taking into account the difference between indoor and outdoor temperature, and improve air circulation by ventilating.

Municipalities should ensure free distribution of drinking water from tankers at certain locations, and also in case of long waits at border crossings, distribution of water and other drinks should be ensured.

The population should be continuously informed about general measures of protection against high temperatures (avoiding movement from 10:00 to 18:00, protection from solar radiation, wearing loose, light-colored clothing, using hats and glasses, using sunscreen, taking sufficient amounts of fluids, consuming fruits and vegetables, and people who travel should take more frequent breaks and take smaller amounts of fluids more often, etc.). Protection from solar radiation is advised, which involves staying in cooled and air-conditioned rooms, but care should be taken that the difference between the room temperature and the outside temperature is not greater than 5 degrees Celsius.

The recommended measures to be implemented in conditions of extreme temperatures are also available on the website of the Institute for Public Health of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina – it is stated.