Workers installing solar panels on farm and factory roofs are shortening their workdays as extreme heat makes working conditions hazardous. Ben Harrison, whose company Mypower fits solar energy systems, described the situation as employees being "like cats on a hot tin roof."
Rooftop temperatures during the recent heatwave have exceeded 35 degrees Celsius (95 degrees Fahrenheit), creating a significantly hotter surface than the ambient air temperature. Harrison's company, which is powered by solar energy, has implemented protocols for when temperatures reach 30 degrees Celsius, including extended water breaks and provisions for cool boxes on the roof.
However, the current extreme conditions have necessitated further adjustments. Mypower teams now begin their work at 6:00 AM, two hours earlier than usual, and finish by noon, a shift from their normal 4:30 PM departure. Harrison acknowledged that this adjustment is impacting the company's schedule and finances, stating, "We've had to delay a job, slow things down, and be working short time, but we've got to look after the guys that work for us."
This proactive approach by some employers contrasts with the absence of a legal maximum temperature for workplaces. Many workers are voluntarily stopping work early, or having their hours reduced, to mitigate the risks associated with extreme heat exposure on exposed surfaces like rooftops. The challenges faced by Mypower highlight the difficulties for businesses and their employees in adapting to increasingly intense heatwaves.