Petrol stations with facilities are being used as ‘safe havens’ under the heatwave protocol
With temperatures in the Netherlands set to rise well above 30 degrees on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, Rijkswaterstaat has put a heatwave protocol in place. This has been in force in the provinces of Limburg and North Brabant since Monday. During a heatwave protocol, motorway service stations with facilities play an important role.
Motorists who break down on the motorway on extremely hot days will not, as is usually the case, be assisted at the scene, but will be taken directly by a breakdown service to a location with facilities, such as a petrol station or lay-by. On days when the protocol is in force, Rijkswaterstaat will carry out this procedure between 10.00 and 20.00. Staffed petrol stations, car parks or service areas are considered safe locations. Here, road users can wait in the shade and air-conditioning for further breakdown assistance.
The heat protocol is designed to prevent motorists who have broken down from having to stand on the hot tarmac in the heat for longer than necessary. High outside temperatures can cause the road surface temperature to rise to over 50 degrees Celsius. Rijkswaterstaat advises motorists to be well prepared before setting off during extreme heat and to take sufficient food and drink with them.
Guidelines for staff
Special guidelines apply to staff working in the petrol station shop, on the outdoor forecourt and in the car washes to ensure they can work safely and healthily in high temperatures. Trade unions and health and safety services have drawn up a list of rules for this purpose. For example, when temperatures exceed 32 degrees Celsius, the employer must ensure, amongst other things, that air conditioning or ventilation is working properly indoors. Heavy physical work in the outdoor area, such as lifting heavy loads or cleaning the car wash, must be limited as much as possible, preferably between 12.00 and 18.00. In addition, employees are entitled to sufficient breaks and must have easy access to cool drinking water.
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