During this period of prolonged extreme heat, high temperatures can have rapid effects on your health, and it is important to remain vigilant about following the recommendations. Special measures have been put in place in recent days to help you adapt your working conditions. The Human Resources Department, through the Occupational Health and Safety Service (SPST), continues to provide below the recommendations and health precautions you should continue to follow.

In addition, this heat wave is causing malfunctions or operational interruptions in various air-conditioning systems and technical equipment. The Technical and Environmental Resources Department, through its Real Estate and Technical Services Division (SIT), is informing you of the measures it is taking to ensure the continuity of your activities.

Health recommendations

The Occupational Health and Prevention Department (SPST) recommends that extra care be taken by those working outdoors, as well as by those whose workplace temperature exceeds 30°C, either due to a lack of air conditioning or as a result of a temporary reduction in air conditioning output.

Here are a few basic guidelines:

• Make sure you drink plenty of fluids regularly (a glass every quarter of an hour if possible), even if you don’t feel thirsty,

• Wipe your face and arms with cool water,

• Avoid large, heavy meals and alcoholic drinks,

• If you feel very unwell, go to an air-conditioned area on campus; if you are working outdoors, protect yourself from the sun (particularly the back of your neck).

If you have any specific health conditions (such as diabetes, asthma or respiratory problems, high blood pressure, etc.) or if you are pregnant, please go to the SPST if you experience any difficulties so that your situation can be assessed on a case-by-case basis.

In addition, in the event of feeling unwell, the Security Operations Center (27) must be contacted.

Impact on air-conditioning systems

The current heatwave is putting air-conditioning systems and chilled water production units under severe strain.

The Real Estate and Technical Department teams are fully mobilised to ensure that any equipment likely to experience malfunctions is repaired as quickly as possible. However, this exceptional situation is placing a heavy demand on staff and resources.

To ensure the continuity of the Institute’s essential activities, priority is being given to critical installations, particularly those in laboratories and animal facilities. Consequently, response times in service areas and offices may be longer than usual.

You are encouraged to take a few simple steps to help improve the efficiency of the air-conditioning systems:

• Keep doors and windows closed in air-conditioned rooms;

• Use blinds or sunlight protection during the day where possible;

• Open windows in the evening or at night to take advantage of the drop in outside temperatures.

Thank you for your understanding and cooperation during this period of high temperatures.