Pleas for action on excess heat

The Health and Safety Executive is asking employers to act to ensure workers are protected during extreme hot weather – even though there is no legal maximum temperature for workplaces.

The regulator says it saw a surge in people seeking advice last year, when temperatures exceeded 40°C for the first time in history.

John Rowe, HSE head of operational strategy, said: “Last summer should have been a wakeup call for all employers. Climate change means we’re likely to get hotter summers and that could have a big impact on the workforce of this country,.”

Meanwhile, the TUC is reminding union members and reps that it offers an interactive guide (link below) to steps that can be taken to guard against extreme temperatures in the workplace.

It also calls for guidance which asks employers to begin taking steps to reduce temperatures when they get above 24°C and workers feel uncomfortable. This is the World Heath Organization’s recommended maximum temperature for working in comfort.