A page from the health ministry’s guidelines for dealing with heatstroke (From the ministry’s website)

The continuing heatwave prompted the health ministry to release guidelines on ways to deal with heatstroke at work.

Intended for small and midsize business operators as well as people who work outdoors, the recommendations offer effective measures to prevent heat illness and give first-aid treatment.

Published on its website, the 90-page document is packed with illustrations.

For extra convenience, users can print specific pages deemed particularly relevant to their work environments and post them at their worksites.

One page features life-saving steps to take if a person collapses from suspected heatstroke.

It suggests removing the work clothes and cooling the entire body with water.

This is a common practice among athletes, according to the guidelines.

Other features include prevention measures best-suited for different worksites.

For outdoor workers exposed to direct sunlight, the guidelines recommend setting up a tent to create shade. They also suggest working from shaded places depending on the time of the day.

The use of fan-fitted working clothes and helmets is also encouraged.

According to the guidelines, heatstroke easily occurs when people are not accustomed to heat.

The ministry noted that the number of people rushed to hospitals for treatment begins to increase in June when summer temperatures start to kick in.

It urged companies to pay particular attention in August, the hottest month of the year, when it comes to new employees and those returning from extended leave.

According to the ministry, the construction sector topped the list of workers who died or were absent from work for at least four days due to heatstroke during the 10 years until 2022 with 1,571, followed by the manufacturing sector with 1,311 and the transport industry with 940