IMSS Advises Office Workers on Heat Stress Prevention Measures

IMSS has advised office workers to adopt specific measures to avoid heat-related health risks amid rising temperatures. These recommendations include staying hydrated by drinking 2 to 2.5L of water during an eight-hour workday, wearing lightweight and light-colored clothing, ensuring proper ventilation, using fans, closing curtains during peak heat hours, and incorporating plants into office spaces.

Gabriel Real, Head of Toxicology and Environmental Health, IMSS’ Occupational Health Coordination, highlighted the impact of heat on both health and productivity. “Temperatures above 30°C can reduce cognitive efficiency, decrease sustained attention, and increase errors. The heat can cause mental fatigue, stress, and higher rates of presenteeism, affecting work quality,” said Real. 

Recommendations respond to the increasing frequency of extreme heat events in Mexico, particularly in major urban centers like Mexico City. Temperatures often exceed 30°C during the warmest months of April and May. In April 2024, Mexico City reached a record 34.2°C, surpassing the previous maximum from 1998. This was exceeded multiple times the following month.

IMSS noted that in offices without adequate ventilation, indoor temperatures can rise 5 to 7°C higher than outdoor levels due to electronic equipment, occupants, and solar radiation. To mitigate this, the institute suggests cross-ventilation by opening windows on opposite sides, using fans, and blocking direct sunlight with curtains or blinds.

Real also emphasized the importance of short breaks to reduce heat stress. He recommended 5-minute pauses every 45 to 60 minutes when temperatures exceed 30°C to allow workers’ bodies to recover. He urged employees to watch for symptoms such as dizziness, extreme fatigue, excessive sweating followed by dry skin, elevated body temperature, nausea, or vomiting, and to seek medical attention immediately if these occur.

Additional advice includes wearing cotton or linen clothing in light colors, avoiding tight or synthetic fabrics, and using indoor plants such as areca palm, peace lily, and ficus to help cool the environment through evapotranspiration. These plants can also contribute to reduced stress and improved well-being.

IMSS also encourages organizations to foster a culture of heat risk awareness and prevention through training and education. The institute promotes its Safe and Healthy Work Environments program (ELSSA) as a resource, offering tools and guidance to maintain safer workplace conditions under heat stress.

Beyond physical effects, heat stress in the workplace is linked to psychological risks. Prolonged exposure to high temperatures can increase irritability, emotional fatigue, anxiety, and reduce job satisfaction. It also correlates with perceptions of increased workload and diminished control over tasks, all factors contributing to workplace stress.

IMSS’ recommendations aim to help workers and employers minimize health risks and maintain productivity during periods of elevated temperatures expected to become more frequent with ongoing climate trends.