In Peru, the National Meteorological and Hydrological Service of Peru (Senamhi) has already defined the season that began on December 21, 2024 and will end on March 20, 2025. In this regard, it confirmed that, at least in northern Lima and eastern Lima, temperatures higher than 29 will be recorded °C since the second week of January; While in other areas of the country it can exceed 31 degrees Celsius. How does the weather report translate into business dynamics?
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The higher the temperature, the lower the productivity
The International Labor Organization has determined that labor productivity decreases when the temperature exceeds the range of 24 to 26 degrees Celsius. However, when the temperature reaches 33 or 34 degrees Celsius, with moderate work intensity, operators lose 50% of their energy.
“Exposure to excessive heat levels can cause hyperthermia, sometimes with a fatal outcome. “It affects workers in all sectors, but some occupations have greater risks because they require more physical effort and/or are performed outside. “As stated in his report. It is also noted that heat-induced performance loss is concentrated in areas where labor market conditions are already precarious; That is, with high rates of vulnerable employment and poverty.
In general, they are activities framed in agriculture, Environmental goods and services, building, Waste collection, Emergency repair work, Transfer, com.turismo y sports. In that line, Oscar Chavez, President of the Institute for Business Development Economics in the United States Lima Chamber of Commerceidentifies, in the Peruvian context, a similar list: Agriculture, mining, manufacturing, construction and com.turismo.
Regarding whether Peru is ready to mitigate heat stress or not, the expert believes that this is the case in modern retail and financial services, but in… “Construction, agriculture and manufacturing are more complex because they operate outdoors, which reduces the likelihood of encountering high temperatures.”
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Focus on agriculture
Gabriel Amaro, President Association of Agricultural Producers Unions of Peru (AGAP)identifies the impacts on the sector. “Plants develop in favorable conditions, but when any climatic variables are stimulated, for example, too much rain or excessive heat, normal growth changes. (…) The plant may need more than one type of fertilizer to strengthen some elements.”it begins.
“Modern agriculture exists in areas bordering the desert, which are hot areas and whose conditions are very complex. (…) Depending on the work and the stage of the crop – pruning, harvesting, maintenance, supervision or more – companies have to anticipate working conditions and provide employees with the items they need..
Therefore, he warns against the mandatory nature of face shields, hats and moisturizing means, but above all, the necessity of adhering to the rules of safety and health at work: “There are procedures for each operation and elements used depending on the area you are in.” Stand out. He pointed out that companies are also subject to guides, safety committees, and constant supervision from Sunafil.
In general, agriculture is one of the activities most vulnerable to heat stress. (Photo: Andina)
The ILO, for its part, finds that heat stress can also be a factor that prompts agricultural workers to leave rural areas in search of better prospects in cities or other countries. In detail, it highlights that during the period 2005-2015, the highest levels of heat stress were associated with the growth of migration flows, a trend not observed in the previous decade.
“This may be a sign that families are increasingly taking climate change into account in their migration decisions.”appears in the study.
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The footprint on the country’s infrastructure
A CCL spokesperson explains other impacts related to business dynamics: restrictions on tourism activities and the El Niño phenomenon. “High temperatures cause climate impacts that can affect the country’s infrastructure. In the case of El Niño, for example, the most affected areas are those in the north: Tumbes, Piura, Lambayeque, La Libertad and Ancash.” announces.
After the census, he shares his estimates: “These regions have about 17 or 18% of the GDP. (…) If they are exposed to high temperatures and experience FEN, they affect 25% of agricultural GDP and 16% of trade sector GDP.”.
Recall, along these lines, that in FEN 1983, the GDP of the red and white region fell by more than 10%, and in 1997, GDP grew by 2%. “There we had a significant learning curve, but we are still suffering from the consequences on the infrastructure.”He concludes.
How does Peru cope with heat stress?
he Ministry of Labor and Employment Promotion (MTPE) It provides scope against heat stress and is directed by the European Agency for Safety and Health at Work. It is therefore suggested that risk assessment of workers potentially exposed.
Some are the pace of work – the greater the demand and time, the more heat is produced – and the working climate – air temperature, air movement, humidity and proximity to heat sources – and enhanced temperature regulation by work clothing and work equipment.
He also considers information an important aspect: “The employer must ensure that both workers and supervisors are aware of the effects of heat on health and safety, as well as prevention and protection measures. The training and information provided by the employer to its workers must be compatible with the conditions of the workplace and the characteristics of the job.” It is specified in the manual.
Regarding technical measures, MTPE recommends insulating installations or sources that generate heat, equipping vehicles with enclosed cabins with air conditioning, using non-reflective surfaces to avoid the glare of solar radiation, and providing shaded areas where workers can cool down after short periods of intense exposure. For heating and providing shielding (eg absorbent shields). In extreme conditions, provide water or air-cooled clothing, ice jackets, wet coats, aprons or reflective suits.
In terms of organizational measures, it is considered appropriate to limit time in the heat or increase recovery time in a rest area, allow rest periods so the worker can hydrate themselves, and develop an emergency response plan.
Panorama 2030: According to the International Labor Organization, heat stress in 2030 will lead to a 2.2% decrease in the world’s total number of working hours. “On the other hand, if we believe that agricultural and construction tasks are done in full sun, then in 2030 the expected loss of working hours worldwide will rise to 3.8%, equivalent to 136 million jobs.”can be read in the document.
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(Tags for translation) Labor productivity
