Hot Weather & Work
Whilst there is no legal standard set for a maximum working temperature, especially when it feels too hot to work indoors in offices and similar work environments, there is a legal requirement to ensure that the temperature is reasonable i.e. by keeping the indoor working temperature at a comfortable level, sometimes known as thermal comfort and providing clean and fresh air.
There is also a legal requirement for employers to protect their staff from the effects of the weather outdoors and rising temperatures, which if not managed properly could potentially cause immediate or long term health problems, especially skin cancer from sun exposure.
Carrying out a risk assessment will enable an employer determine what measures can be introduced. Considering all the factors relating to the working environment and if more individual arrangements would be required for employees with specific workplace health needs such as pregnancy.
Articles
- Temperature at Work HSE
- Thermal Comfort HSE
- Employee Guide - Temperature HSE
- Care in the Sun & Outdoor Workplaces & Cancer Focus NI
- Heat Stress HSE
- Temperature and Outdoor work HSE
- Keep your top on HSE
- Sun, UV and Cancer Research UK
- How to cope in hot weather NHS Choices
- Personal protective equipment and heat: risk of heat stress
- No Time to Lose campaign - IOSH website(external link opens in a new window / tab)
- Staying safe in the sun - Cancer Focus NI website(external link opens in a new window / tab)
- Seeing red – IOSH website
- Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992. Approved Code of Practice and guidance - HSE (GB)
- The Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2000 - legislation.gov.uk