Topical Tips: Hot summer days!

The second of our series of answers to frequently asked questions deals with work in hot temperatures.

Q. As usual in my workplace in summer months the temperature is climbing. What can we do about it? My boss says there is not much he can do!

A. We are now entering what should be the hottest part of the year.

Temperatures are on the rise in many workplaces leaving members feeling hot under the collar but don’t despair, there is something you can do.

Employers have a duty under current health and safety legislation to ensure a ‘reasonable’ temperature in the workplace. Although there is a minimum reasonable temperature, there is no maximum quoted in the law in this country. However, international standards and research by experts show that temperatures above 27 to 30 degrees Celsius are likely to be uncomfortably warm, especially when the air is humid. Above 30 Celsius there is a real danger that some workers might suffer from symptoms of heat stress - which is more than just uncomfortable and can be damaging to health.

Excessive temperatures can lead to sweating, irritability, nausea, headaches, dizziness, fainting, muscle cramps, extra strain on the heart and ultimately heat stroke.

Usdaw along with other unions and the TUC are pushing the government for a maximum temperature of around 27Celsius to be included in the law as an indicator of when the temperature gets unreasonably warm. We are not suggesting that the employer must always keep the workplace below that temperature or that workers can stop working when it gets above it. But we are suggesting that it forms a useful target to try to achieve through good building design, use of air-conditioning, etc. And, when higher temperatures cannot be avoided, employers should introduce other measures to protect workers.

Some of the things that can relieve the effects of high temperatures include improved ventilation, shading windows to reduce radiant heat from the sun, cooling fans, removal or isolation of heat sources, frequent rest breaks, constant supply of cold drinks, job rotation, relaxation of dress codes etc.

The health and safety section have a guide to temperatures in the workplace in the Hazards section of the Usdaw Health and Safety website:

http://www.usdaw.org.uk/healthandsafety/hazards/

For more information download our leaflet - Keep your cool

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