Recharge zones, cool clothing: India Inc's summer strategies

Several firms are stepping up to help their workforce cope with soaring temperatures

- ISHITA AYAN DUTT, PEERZADA ABRAR SOHINI DAS

As India braves another blistering summer, companies across sectors-from e-commerce giants to steel manufacturers - are stepping up efforts to help their workforce cope with the rising temperatures, which are hovering close to 44 degrees Celsius in some parts of the country.

The summer strategies of these firms include fortifying their staff with oral rehydration salts (ORS) and energy drinks, introducing breathable uniforms, and setting up recharge rooms.

At Tata Steel's shop floors, where workers endure the heat from blast furnaces and hot metal, preparations for summer begin a couple of months in advance and are multi-pronged.

"We organise mass meetings across our facilities, where occupational health and safety experts give detailed information to our employees about heatwave risks and the prevention measures," says a spokesperson.

To prevent dehydration, the company says, it ensures a steady supply of chilled drinking water at all blast furnaces, steel melt shops, and rolling mills; distributes ORS regularly; and provides its employees with fireretardant clothing to mitigate the impact of heat from hot metal.