Keep workers safe in fourth heatwave, urges TUC

Working in hot weather can lead to dehydration, tiredness, muscle cramps, fainting, and – in the most extreme cases – loss of consciousness.

And workers who are outdoors for long periods in a heat wave are at serious risk of sunstroke, heat stress and even skin cancer.  

The TUC says employers can help their workers by:   

• Temporarily relaxing their workplace dress codes: Encouraging staff to work in more loose, casual clothing – leaving the jackets and ties at home – will help them keep cool.  
• Keeping staff comfortable: Allowing for frequent breaks and providing a supply of cold drinks will all help keep workers cool. 
• Allowing flexible working: Giving staff the chance to come in earlier or stay later will let them avoid the stifling and unpleasant conditions of the rush hour commute. Employers should also consider enabling staff to work from home while it is hot. 
• Keeping workplace buildings cool: Workplaces can be kept cooler and more bearable by taking simple steps such as using air conditioning, fans, moving staff away from windows or sources of heat. 
• Climate-proofing workplaces: Preparing buildings for increasingly hot weather, by installing ventilation, air-cooling and energy efficiency measures.
• Talking and listening to staff and their unions: Staff will have their own ideas about how best to cope with the excessive heat.

And for staff working outside, the TUC recommends:

• Sun protection: Prolonged sun exposure is dangerous for outdoor workers, so employers should provide sunscreen as a form of personal protective equipment.
• Sensible hours and shaded areas for outdoor workers: Outside tasks should be scheduled for early morning and late afternoon, not between 11am-3pm when UV radiation levels and temperatures are highest. Employers should provide canopies or shades where possible.

Maximum working temperatures

Unlike other countries, Britain does not have maximum legal working temperatures.

We do however have minimum working temperatures, with the HSE’s code of practice setting out that the temperature in a workplace should normally be at least 16 degrees Celsius.

The government has committed to modernise health and safety guidance with reference to extreme temperatures, with the Health and Safety Executive leading a review of guidance. The TUC welcomes this review as an opportunity to ensure that workplaces are fit for purpose as our climate changes – and has set out that it must include the introduction of maximum workplace temperature guidelines. The TUC recommends that these should ensure:

• Employers take steps to reduce temperatures if they get above 24°C and workers feel uncomfortable.
• Workers can stop work above a maximum temperature of 30°C, or 27°C for those doing strenuous jobs.

Climate change

The TUC is calling on ministers to make sure British workplaces are fit for a warmer climate.

Public and private investment is needed to upgrade our buildings and infrastructure, so that they remain functional during heatwaves.

We must also continue with climate action so that we can prevent global heating become more extreme, with greater costs to our lives.

TUC general secretary Paul Nowak said, “Most of us will have been enjoying all the hot summer weather we’ve had this year. But this weather isn’t much fun if you’re stuck in an overheated workplace. 

“Indoor workplaces should be kept at comfortable temperatures, with relaxed dress codes and flexible working to make use of the coolest hours of the day. 

“And employers must make sure outdoor workers are protected with regular breaks, lots of fluids, plenty of sunscreen and the right protective clothing.

“With heatwaves becoming more common, we need to adapt. We need new laws on maximum working temperatures, improvements to workplaces to keep them cool, and climate action to reduce global heating.”