The Department for Work and Pensions has issued a fresh update today regarding proposals which could result in rule modifications concerning an 'upper temperature' threshold for workplaces. The UK is expected to experience soaring temperatures from Wednesday, with some areas predicted to reach as high as 35C, the Met Office has confirmed.
Forecasted Heatwave
Areas of southern England could witness temperature peaks of approximately 33C on Wednesday and 34C on Thursday, with the highest figures of 35C anticipated for isolated locations on Friday and Saturday. By the weekend, the warm air is predicted to extend to northern regions of the UK, and conditions are expected to become progressively humid, with an increasing likelihood of showers or isolated thunderstorms.
Parliamentary Questions on Workplace Heat
The emerging standard of 35C and above in the UK has prompted demands for an upper workplace threshold for heat on health grounds, as exists in numerous countries. Labour MP Dr Peter Prinsley asked the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions Pat McFadden: "If he will make an assessment of the potential merits of a mandated upper temperature limit in the workplace, including those working outside."
Alex Mayer also asked Mr McFadden: "What assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of heatwaves on workers in outdoor and high-temperature workplaces."
HSE Response and Consultation
In response, Sir Stephen Timms stated that the Health and Safety Executive was considering changes to the rules in this area, with news coming later this year. He said: "The HSE is Great Britain's national regulator for workplace health and safety. There is a legal duty for employers to fully assess the risks to workers from extreme heat."
"HSE provides guidance for employers to manage the risk to workers, including from extreme heat. HSE issued a press release on Friday 19 June to raise awareness of the risks to workers, to help workplaces in the current hot weather. This year, HSE will also be launching a public consultation on proposed changes to the Approved Code of Practice for the Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992, including those relating to workplace temperature."
Current Legal Requirements
During last month's heatwave, the HSE signalled its position by urging employers to 'act now' to safeguard workers as temperatures rocketed. It stated that employers must plan for and support staff working in extreme heat. The regulator maintains that doing so will keep workers healthy and safe while sustaining productivity.
The HSE confirmed that employers are legally obliged to evaluate risks to their workers' health and safety, including those posed by extreme weather conditions such as heatwaves. While no legal maximum workplace temperature exists, heat is classified as a hazard and should be treated accordingly alongside other workplace risks.
HSE Deputy Director's Statement
John Rowe, Deputy Director for Technical Support and Engagement for the Health and Safety Executive, 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."
Simple Measures for Employers
Simple measures to consider include:
- Making sure workplace windows can be opened or closed to prevent hot air from circulating or building up.
- Using blinds or reflective film on workplace windows to shade workers from the sun.
- Placing workstations away from direct sunlight and heat sources.
- Putting insulation around hot pipes and machinery.
- Offering flexible working patterns so workers can work at cooler times of the day.
- Providing free access to drinking water.
- Relaxing dress codes if possible.
- Providing weather-appropriate personal protective equipment.
- Encouraging workers to remove personal protective equipment when resting (ideally in shaded areas) to cool off.
- Sharing information about the symptoms of heat stress and what to do if someone is affected.
