Your questions answered - September 24

Q: What are the regulations around working in heat? My colleagues and I are often asked to work on projects outdoors at short notice. 

The International Labour Organisation estimates that at least 2.41 billion workers are exposed annually to excessive heat, leading to around 22.85 million occupational injuries and 18,970 work-related deaths every year. 

Outdoor workers such as farmers, foresters, landscapers, painters, roofers, pavers, roadworkers and construction workers are the most obviously at risk, but knock-on effects of higher temperatures and severe weather on public transport and other key infrastructure continue to impact an increasing number of workers.

Although there's currently no law for maximum working temperature, because every workplace is different, working outdoors will become more of an issue as our climate changes. If your working conditions are subject to change, speak to your employers as they have a legal obligation to protect employees from climate change-related weather changes. Since April 2022, some of the UK’s largest companies have been legally obliged to disclose their climate-related risks and opportunities. 

Businesses must continue adapting to climate change impacts such as changing marketplaces and customer needs, impacts on operational, logistical and supply chain processes, and the impact on the health, safety and wellbeing of staff - and the general public - from severe weather events.

Q: I read recently about an increased number of accidents not being reported at work; I am not responsible for my company’s health and safety policy but how can I encourage my colleagues to be more active in recording accidents and near accidents?

According to recent data, almost two-thirds of employees (64%) have experienced some form of accident at work which has gone unreported: only 36% of workers have reported a workplace accident. 

We should recognise that there are many reasons people do not report incidents. We would strongly encourage leaders to be aware of the challenges of building culture and communication in their workforces and do all they can to overcome them. 

Effective incident reporting plays a significant role in risk management, compliance and the reduction of future incidents. Bird’s Accident Triangle proposes that reducing the number of minor accidents will see a corresponding fall in the number of serious accidents. Employees should therefore be encouraged to report all incidents and near misses, no matter how minor, to foster a culture of transparency.

Ultimately, we know there can be an impact on an organisation’s workplace morale, culture and, indeed, bottom line, when a reporting culture does not exist, and employees do not feel safe or have a sense of belonging and being heard.

Q: Occasionally, depending on the project, I am asked to work at height. It is not a core practice for my role but should I have the same protections available? 

A simple answer – yes.

It is estimated that more than one million businesses, and 10 million workers, undertake some form of working at height every year¹. It is vital that employers do all they can to make their workplaces safer for those working at heights.

Your employer must undertake a risk assessment: understanding the risks that exist when working at heights is vital to effective preventative action – prevention is better than a cure.

They should also make sure that all relevant training is identified and provided. And reviewing this training often is essential.

As you suggest, ‘working at height’ is a broad term, covering many roles. There are, of course, areas of overlap between those working on cranes and skyscrapers (what might be termed ‘extreme heights’) and colleagues working on low-rise buildings, using ladders and stepladders or cherry pickers.

The use of drones and autobots to undertake tasks that previously relied on people is now a more regular sight in the workplace, and, depending on the task, perhaps this could be considered before sending employees or contractors into harm's way.

1 https://workingatheight.info/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/Staying-alive.pdf