Keep a cool head

Working on hot days

The summer sunshine has a catch: heat makes it hard to work. A few simple measures can help make hot days at least a bit more comfortable and manageable:

Stay hydrated – use the water dispensers and kitchenettes.

Shade rooms – adjust shades and blinds so that they keep direct sunlight out.

Work flexibly – when possible, use the options of flexible working hours, working from home and remote teaching.

DWD Hitzewarnkarte NRW Legend:

  no warning

Heat warning map (← left)
  major heat impact
  perceived temperature exceeding approx. 32 °C
  extreme heat impact
  perceived temperature exceeding approx. 38 °C

UV warning map (right →)
  increased UV intensity
  20 % above the ten-year average or
  around 5 in spring or early summer
 DWD UV-Warnkarte NRW
All weather warnings for Essen and Duisburg.

Locations of water dispensers in Essen

  • R11T building
  • S-A building [temporarily out of service]
  • S04 building [temporarily out of service]
  • GLA-SH building [temporarily out of service]
  • GLA-ZH building [temporarily out of service]

Locations of water dispensers in Duisburg

  • LK building, University Library entrance area [temporarily out of service]
  • LB building [installation underway]
  • BA building
  • BC building [temporarily out of service]
  • MC building, Mülheimer Straße entrance area
outer shades and blinds - function
UDE | Staff Unit OSH/EP

Heat out - light inShading rooms

To protect rooms from excessive heat, it is sufficient to adjust shades and blinds in such a way that the louvres are horizontal and no direct sunlight shines into the room. (Leave electric shades and blinds completely closed even overnight.)

You do not need to darken the room completely to protect against heat! Diffused daylight does not increase the temperature in a room. On the contrary: it may prevent the need to turn on electric lights, thus avoiding the heat they generate.

Avoid the heatWork flexibly

When the Deutsche Wetterdienst (German weather service, DWD) warns of particularly hot days ahead, use the options of flexible working hours, working from home and remote teaching whenever possible (e.g. discuss with your line manager whether you can take time off in lieu).

Customs that have long been practiced in southern countries also help here: when you can, work during the cooler hours of the early morning or, if your office faces east or south, use the shadier afternoon hours.

Unit heads should offer these options proactively! Please also take note of the provisions in the agreement regarding hot weather (Dienstvereinbarung Sommerhitze).

Move meetings and events to other dates or online formats if there is no compelling reason to hold them in person.

If that is not possible, please discuss the situation among yourselves: 
Who has an office facing north and is working remotely, on leave, on a work-related trip or absent for some other reason?
Who gets in early on which days and can let the cool morning air into their colleagues’ offices?

Agreement regarding hot weather

If it becomes impossible to work or you are not sure what is necessary at which temperatures, the agreement regarding hot weather (see below: Further information – UDE regulations) can provide answers.

Equally importantLook out for each other

Be mindful of yourself and your colleagues!

Watch for warning signs such as fatigue, difficulty concentrating, confusion, dizziness, headaches, nausea, shortness of breath and other noticeable signs.

In case of impaired consciousness, decreased responsiveness, difficulty breathing or other serious symptoms, call emergency number 112 immediately.

PreventionRisk assessment

As a unit head, be sure that your risk assessment for your unit covers possible risks due to hot weather. Use the sample forms provided for assessing the risks associated with hot weather in offices and in laboratories, workshops and studios (see below: Further information – UDE regulations).

Contact

Information and personal consultation

Occupational Safety and Health Specialists - Essen

Occupational Safety and Health Specialists - Duisburg

Further information

UDE regulations (in German)

Measuring temperatures

To measure indoor temperatures, please place thermometers near workstations but not in direct sunlight or hotspots (i.e. in a shaded place, not in a niche and not near other devices). If you do most of your work sitting down, choose a spot at about the same height as your seat (e.g. on a side table or free-standing rolling cabinet); if you alternate between sitting and standing, place the thermometer at the height of your work surface.

The Central Stockroom within the Procurement Department has digital thermometers. If you need one, you can order it through the SAP portal. Please use material number (Materialnummer) 40007726 to do so.

You will find instructions for ordering thermometers and other information (in German) on the Central Stockroom webpage.

Indoor environment