Da Nang is baking in the scorching temperatures hitting between 36- 39 degrees Celsius this week. Those most vulnerable to illness in hot weather include the elderly, children and those with pre-existing health problems. However, outdoor workers are most at risk of short-term and long-term heat related illnesses arising from prolonged exposure to the sun.

Some construction workers are working at the site of the traffic re-arrangement at the western end of the Tran Thi Ly Bridge in Da Nang in the heat.

Hot weather combined with strenuous outdoor work can cause body temperatures to rise to unsafe levels. Therefore, outdoor workers in Da Nang, including those involved in the construction work and sanitation services, are increasingly vulnerable to heat-related illnesses such as heat stroke, heat exhaustion, dehydration and heat cramps, and even skin cancer.

Due to their outdoor job, many construction workers at the site of the traffic re-arrangement at the western end of the Tran Thi Ly Bridge in Da Nang are still working outdoors in the heat.

Nguyen Van Tam, a concrete cutting worker, said Da Nang’s residents are sweltering in record hottest weather as scorching temperatures rocket close 40 degrees Celsius. Tam added he is struggling to adapt to the heat at the construction site because his job requires him to be outside for a prolonged period of time in very hot weather.

Tam also said that his employer has taken steps to minimise risks to health and safety to construction workers like him during hot weather conditions. Included are providing shaded areas for breaks, offering free of charge lemonade, and encouraging construction workers to wear wide-brimmed hats when working outdoors in hot weather.

Mr Nguyen Van Cuong, a civil construction contractor in Thanh Khe District’s Hoa Khe Ward, said working outdoors in sweltering conditions can be unbearable and dangerous, so he has put in place measures to ensure his workers are protected as much as possible.

Mr Cuong remarked that he allows his workers more frequent rest breaks in a cool shaded place, and provides free of charge drinking water to them. Also, he arranges for his workers to rotate to jobs in shaded areas whenever possible, outside tasks are arranged to be done earlier in the morning and later in the afternoon, rather than between 11am-3pm when temperatures are highest.

Cuong also provided free of charge lightweight-brimmed hats for all his workers, and made sure that any protective clothing was lightweight, long-sleeved and comfortable.

A female sanitation worker doing her job in hot weather

Besides, sanitation workers - people whose job requires them to work outdoors year-round and to cope with extreme temperatures.

Ms Lan from a Thanh Khe District-based Environmental Factory said her job is cleaning Nguyen Van Linh Street. Her working time is from 7am - 11pm in the morning, and from 1pm - 5pm in the afternoon.

“I still spend my "office" hours outdoors in very hot weather in order to keep Da Nang’s streets clean and beautiful”, said Ms Lan.

School children are also more vulnerable to such heat-related illnesses as dehydration, heat cramps, heat exhaustion and heat stroke under extreme heat conditions.

The city’s health officials advise parents to keep their children stay in the shade, dress them in lightweight and loose clothing, and encourage them to drink more fluids than usual on hot days in a bid to protect them from the heat.

The municipal Department of Education and Training is urging primary schools citywide to purchase more electrical and misting fans, restrict their outdoor activities, and ensure food safety and hygiene in schools in an effort to keep school pupils safe and cool in hot weather conditions.

By NGOC PHU, XUAN DUNG, PHAN CHUNG - Translated by MAI DUNG