
Insight
If, like us, you’re finding the workplace becoming a bit hot and stuffy, you may be asking the question ‘do I have to send staff home when it gets too hot?’. As it stands, the answer is no. There is no law regarding the maximum temperature for workplaces in the UK.
The onus on the temperature of the workplace rests solely with employers and the guidance we have is that temperatures must be reasonable. Clearly heat can be dangerous and so employers should be aware of their obligation to ensure a safe working environment for their employees which covers their health and welfare. Health and Safety requires that employers keep the workplace at a comfortable temperature and provide clean fresh air to their employees.
The TUC are campaigning for there to be a maximum temperature which would have a two tier approach:
Obviously, there is a wide variety of working environments within the UK and it is not only ‘heat’ that determines whether a workplace is a comfortable. Other factors such as whether there is a breeze, individual clothing and personal factors and humidity all play a role.
We all know how difficult it is to try and work in a hot environment. The mind becomes foggy, tempers may flare and there is a big impact on productivity.
The heat can also cause serious health concerns for many, such as:
Some of the above could have serious and long lasting affects on individuals.
In extreme cases, heat can cause death. For example, the three soldiers who sadly lost their lives in 2013 on a military exercise across the Brecon Beacons owing, in part, to the prevailing temperatures.
Nothing in this article is intended to scaremonger; simply to remind people that whilst it is lovely to have the sun, consideration must be given to the temperature and working conditions of workers.
Some practical steps that you could consider include:
If you are receiving a number of complaints from staff regarding the temperature, it would be prudent to carry out a risk assessment and then act on the findings.
If you have any concerns or questions about the issues raised in this article, please do not hesitate to contact the team.
For further information, please visit the government website: Workplace temperatures.