As temperatures rise above a sweltering 30°C today and yellow heat warnings are issued across the south-east,, the risk of developing heat-related health issues increases, especially for outdoor or heavy-labour workers.
For this reason, the TUC (Trades Union Congress) has urged MPs to introduce a law that outlines a specific maximum workplace temperature- a topic that currently sits in a legal grey area.
Below, business experts at Bionic explain your employee rights and suggest three measures you can request to allow for a cooler and safer working environment.
What are the guidelines on safe workplace temperatures?
According to Met Office scientist Nikos Christidis, “40°C days in the UK are now as much as 10 times more likely than they would be under a natural climate unaffected by human influence.” Despite this shocking statistic, there is currently no legal maximum indoor workplace temperature in the UK, only a minimum which sits at 16°C and drops to 13°C for those doing any sort of physical work1.
In the recent TUC call-out, the union body has suggested that a maximum temperature should ideally be set at 30°C for general workers and 27°C for those working particularly strenuous jobs.
Regarding this proposal, Paul Nowak, the TUC’s general secretary, says
“Indoor workplaces need to be kept cool, 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. Our buildings, infrastructure, and laws were made for a different climate in a different century. Extreme heat is becoming the norm and we’re struggling to cope. We need to adapt – and that means improving the law, investing in resilience and delivering climate action. The New Deal would keep workers safer by modernising the guidance around excessive working temperature – and finally bringing it into the 21st century2.”
How can workers ensure they are protected?
While we can’t yet point to a specific temperature that renders the environment too unsafe for workers, all workers are entitled to an environment where risks to their health and safety, heat included, are properly controlled. If you or your colleagues are feeling unwell as a result of the increased heat, it is within your right to raise the increase in temperature as a hazard to your personal health.
Tips for staying cool at work
Encourage your employer to relax the dress code
Relaxing dress code policies, if they aren’t necessary for the job, is a great way to help employees feel just that little bit more comfortable when the heat inevitably starts to ramp up.
Request period of flexible working to avoid the hottest hours of the day
If you can avoid the midday sun, you absolutely should aim to do so, as this is often when the heat is at its deadliest. Too much exposure can lead to dizziness, fainting or even heatstroke.
Ask for cold food and drinks
Whilst the cooling sensation may only be temporary, having your employer provide a regular supply of cold food and drink can really help provide relief on a hot day and can help manage overall staff temperature by allowing employees to cool down their nervous system.
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