On a construction site near the Pittem psychiatric center, the construction workers are not really bothered by the heat for the time being. It is 32 degrees there, and the employer took extra measures. Lowie Vanfleteren, junior project leader: “In the morning they work outside and in the afternoon they can strip the formwork inside in the basement, which means they have reasonably pleasant temperatures all day long. They can sit in the shade for fifteen minutes at any time and have a drink.”
Chilled water and sunscreen
The Bouwunie bundles all practical tips about working outside in extreme heat in a guide. Kris Coussée, CEO Coussée Bouw & Project: “It is important that the workers have cooled water on the site. We provide this, but we also have refrigerators available in all site chains. We also ensure that they use sunscreen to protect themselves from the sun. We have therefore provided sunscreen on all sites. We also advise our employees not to work bare-chested, but to wear a light T-shirt.”
Storm coming
Construction companies must also take into account possible thunderstorms and gusts of wind on their sites, such as today. “We have to check whether there is any loose insulation that could blow away. And whether the newly bricked walls, or newly concreted walls, are indeed properly secured.”