Another spell of hot weather has reignited debate over how employers should protect workers during periods of extreme heat, with health and safety experts urging organisations not to wait for changes in legislation before taking action.
While there is currently no statutory maximum workplace temperature in the UK, employers are required to provide a reasonable working environment and have a duty to manage foreseeable health and safety risks.
The issue has attracted renewed attention following another period of exceptionally warm weather in June, alongside growing evidence that extreme heat is likely to become more common in future.
Existing law already places responsibility on employers
Workplace health, safety and environmental training provider Astutis is encouraging employers to treat heat as a long-term workplace risk rather than a temporary seasonal challenge.
Brenig Moore, Health and Safety Expert and Technical Director at Astutis, said:
“Whether or not legislation lands, the direction of travel is clear. Employers treating heat as a serious, planned-for risk now will be a long way ahead of those who wait for the law to catch up.
“I’ve spent the best part of four decades watching employers wait for a statutory number that hasn’t come, when really the duty is sitting in front of them.”
The comments come as the Met Office has published a plausible future climate scenario in which UK summer temperatures could reach 45°C by 2056.
Although there is currently no legal maximum workplace temperature, an amendment to the Employment Rights Bill would require the government to consider introducing one. Meanwhile, the Trades Union Congress (TUC) continues to campaign for an upper limit of 30°C, or 27°C where work is physically demanding.
Under Section 44 of the Employment Rights Act 1996, employees can remove themselves from situations they reasonably believe present a serious or imminent danger. While this applies to genuine danger rather than discomfort alone, heat stress can create significant health risks in some workplaces.
Moore said employers should focus on reducing those risks before they reach that point.
“I would much rather an employer manage the risk of heat down than discover where the line sits in a tribunal.”
Five steps employers can take
Astutis recommends that employers prepare for periods of extreme heat by reviewing their existing health and safety arrangements rather than reacting once temperatures rise.
The organisation advises employers to:
- Review workplace risk assessments, ensuring they consider factors such as air temperature, humidity, air movement, clothing requirements and the physical demands of different roles.
- Identify employees who may be more vulnerable to heat, including older workers, pregnant employees and those with cardiovascular or respiratory conditions or who take certain medications.
- Incorporate heat into emergency planning, using resources such as the Met Office’s heat health alerts to help determine operational responses, including additional breaks or changes to working patterns.
- Train managers to recognise the early signs of heat stress, including dizziness, confusion, slowed reactions and muscle cramps, before they develop into medical emergencies.
- Review PPE and workplace dress codes, considering whether lighter or better-ventilated equipment, or changes to working schedules, could help reduce heat exposure where appropriate.
Supporting remote workers during heatwaves
Astutis also highlights that employers’ duty of care extends to employees working remotely from home.
Moore said clear communication is essential during periods of extreme heat, including providing practical guidance on staying safe, encouraging regular breaks and checking in with employees who may be more vulnerable or live alone.
He also suggests organisations consider practical support where appropriate, such as providing fans, allowing additional paid breaks, offering access to office or co-working spaces, or adjusting workloads and deadlines to help employees work more safely during periods of high temperatures.
As UK summers become increasingly hot, employers are being encouraged to build heat management into their wider health and safety planning rather than waiting for further changes to workplace legislation.
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