The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) is urging employers to take immediate action to protect workers after a heat health alert was issued for parts of the UK.
As summer temperatures rise, the workplace regulator says employers must plan ahead and support workers exposed to extreme heat to help maintain both health and productivity.
Heat risks must be assessed
HSE has reported a surge in requests for advice during periods of hot weather and is reminding employers of their legal duty to assess workplace risks, including those associated with extreme temperatures and heatwaves.
Although there is no legal maximum workplace temperature in the UK, heat is recognised as a workplace hazard and should be managed in the same way as any other health and safety risk.
The regulator says all workers, whether based indoors or outdoors, can be affected by high temperatures and employers should work with staff to identify practical ways of reducing risks.
HSE warns of future challenges
HSE says hotter summers could have a significant impact on worker health and productivity if employers fail to prepare adequately.
The regulator is encouraging businesses to assess heat-related risks now and put simple measures in place before temperatures rise further during the summer.
Practical controls can include ensuring workplace windows can be opened or closed to manage airflow, installing blinds or reflective window film to reduce heat from direct sunlight, moving workstations away from heat sources and insulating hot pipes or machinery where appropriate.
Practical measures to reduce heat stress
Employers are also being encouraged to introduce flexible working patterns that allow staff to work during cooler parts of the day, provide free access to drinking water and relax dress codes where possible.
Where personal protective equipment is required, suitable weather-appropriate PPE should be provided and workers should be encouraged to remove equipment during rest breaks in shaded areas to help cool down.
The HSE also advises employers to raise awareness of the symptoms of heat stress and ensure workers know what action to take if a colleague becomes affected.
The regulator says early planning and simple preventative measures can help safeguard worker wellbeing, reduce the risk of heat-related illness and maintain safe and productive workplaces throughout the summer months.
Measures to support workers
John Rowe, Deputy Director for Technical Support and Engagement at HSE, said: “Last summer should have been a wake-up call for all employers.
“If we continue to experience hotter summers this could have a big impact on the workforce of this country, affecting everything from health of workers to productivity on construction sites.
“The risks to workers from extreme heat must be properly assessed. Practical steps can include providing adequate ventilation and shade and allowing enough breaks for workers to cool down. We provide detailed guidance on our website hse.gov.uk.
“We know all employers are under pressure and we don’t want to add to their burden but it’s vital they think hard now about simple and cheap measures they can put in place to support workers should we see extreme heat again this summer.”
