Dealing with Hot Temperatures in the Workplace

With the summer now hitting us and temperatures already on the rise, workers will start to feel the impact of heat on the workplace. Whether it’s a desk job or labour intensive work, you should ensure your employees are comfortable in the workplace and if necessary the appropriate risk assessments are in place for working in the heat. The Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations mean employers should provide their employees with reasonable indoor working temperatures, and these vary depending on the work being carried out and the environment it’s been done in.

It is the responsibility of the employer by law to assess the risk that heat and hotter temperatures post to the workplace, in addition to this measures must then be put in place to help protect your employees; whether work is being carried out indoors or outdoors. Working closely with your employees and a union representative is a good way to help understand the best ways to manage rising temperatures for employees carrying out certain types of tasks.

It is recommended that indoor temperatures should be no lower than 16°C or 13°C (if the job is considered physical). However, when it comes to heat, there is currently no maximum temperature in place for when workplaces become a danger, but this doesn’t mean you shouldn’t be doing anything. Even without a maximum temperature in place, heat and higher temperatures are still considered a risk in the workplace, which means it is the employers responsibility to take action to ensure the workplace remains a safe temperature.

How To Keep Temperatures Manageable in the Workplace

It is the responsibility of the employer to do everything they can to keep temperatures manageable and at much safe levels for working and this covers both indoors and outdoors. However, employees should also be using their own judgement to keep themselves cool and hydrated as well, below we’ll list some of the things both employees and employers can do to make working in the heat much more bearable.

What Employers Can Do To Manage Heat in the Workplace

• Ensure risk assessments are in place for when temperatures reach over a certain degree
• Make sure windows and doors can be opened or closed to allow for reasonable through air
• Provide fans or install air conditioning if necessary
• Ensure any air conditioning is serviced and maintained correctly ready for use when needed
• Consider introducing flexible hours so employees can start work earlier or finish later to avoid peak hours of sunlight and temperatures
• Relax dress codes to allow for lighter clothing or shorts to be work
• Move work stations out of direct sunlight
• Consider using blackout blinds or window films to add extra protection from sunlight
• Ensure cold water is easily accessible
• Allow for additional breaks if needed

What Employees Can Do To Manage Heat in the Workplace

• Remove layers of clothing such as jackets, jumpers or cardigans
• Close blinds if the room is starting to feel too warm
• Use a desk fan
• Ensure you drink plenty of fluid, especially water
• Take your breaks in cooler/shaded areas
• Avoid working in direct sunlight or heat where possible

Working Outdoors in the Heat

We fully understand that working outdoors in the heat and sun provides its own challenges and many of the suggestions above won’t be suitable for outdoor workers. However, there are still a number of things employers can do to help protect their outdoor workers from the heat such as:

• Reschedule work until it’s cooler or change working hours to avoid peak times
• Provide more frequent breaks for employees
• Ensure there is shaded areas available for employees if needed
• Provide access to fresh and cold drinking water
• Ask employees to remove PPE during break times or when not needed to help them remain cool
• Ensure employees know the signs of sun stroke, heat stress and dehydration

Heat Stress and Dehydration - What Are The Signs and Symptoms?

Heat stress happens when the body can no longer control its internal temperatures and it can happen in high temperature environments or to those working outside in the direct heat or sun. Ensuring workers know the signs and symptoms of heat stress will ensure workers take the appropriate measurements to try and prevent it, and if it should happen then they’ll know what they need to do as well. Heat stress can be caused by anything from the body not being able to sweat properly to working in environments such as power plants or with machinery. Some of the main signs and symptoms of employee heat stress are:

• Muscle cramps
• Fainting
• Heat Exhaustion (Dizziness, Nausea, Headache, Fatigue, Moist Skin)
• Struggling to focus and concentrate
• Severe Thirst
• Heat Rash
• Heat Stroke (Dry Skin, Confusion, Convulsion, Loss of Consciousness)

In addition to heat stress, dehydration is also a common occurrence for people who work outdoors or in high temperature areas. When this is the case employees should be encouraged to cool water rather than drinks such as tea or coffee to help them stay cool. Drinking water in small amounts will help to stave off the effects of dehydration better and it compensates for sweating much more. When working in conditions that are prone to heat stress or dehydration, people should be drinking around 250ml of water every 15-30 minutes. However, some situations can be drinking regularly hard, whether that’s due to PPE or the job being carried out, if this is the same then workers should drink at least 500ml of water before they start work, and this should be repeated during any rest or breaks as well.

Getting Help With Workplace Temperature Health & Safety

If you’re struggling to manage heat in the workplace, whether that’s putting the right measures in place or a risk assessment, then we can help At Safetynet Scotland, we offer advice, consultancy and practical services in relation to both indoor and outdoor heat related health and safety in the workplace. Just contact us today and one of our team will be more than happy to help you.