Amber heat health alerts are in place for the east, South East and South West of England, as well as London, from 12pm on Thursday until 8pm on Tuesday
The UK is set to be hit with another heatwave starting this weekend with temperatures set to hit 34C or more.
Amber heat health alerts are in place for the east, South East and South West of England, as well as London, from 12pm on Thursday until 8pm on Tuesday.
But what about if you’re scheduled to work? Many employees wrongly believe there is a legal maximum temperature for offices and workplaces in the UK.
There is no temperature that is deemed “too hot” to work in, but bosses still have an obligation to keep staff safe.
Employment lawyer Natalie Peacock, from Rogers and Norton, said extreme heat is becoming a growing workplace problem across the UK.
She said: “Although employers are not obliged to install air conditioning, the law requires employers to take reasonable steps to ensure the workplace is safe.
“As an employment lawyer, I see the fallout from employers who fail to understand their duties when extreme heat creates safety concerns in the workplace.
“Heat is a foreseeable risk which employers are expected to manage. Failing to manage the risk can amount to a breach of the Health and Safety at Work Act.“
She said workers should expect employers to take practical steps during heatwaves, including allowing extra breaks and making sure staff can stay cool and hydrated.
She said: “Employers must consider carrying out risk assessments regarding hot weather and its impact on their workforce.
“They should consider ensuring breaks are taken and providing facilities for their workforce to stay hydrated.
“They should also consider workplace ventilation and providing shelter/shade for outdoor workers. Some employers I have dealt with also consider providing their workforce with free suncream and fans.“
Natalie added that workers struggling in the heat may also be able to ask for flexible hours or permission to work from home during the hottest parts of the day.
She said: “To reduce the impact of extreme heat on their workforce, employers may consider making simple, temporary adjustments, such as flexible hours for working during cooler parts of the day or agreeing to requests for working from home.
“Duties to protect employees continue even when working from home. Employers should carry out homeworking risk assessments and may consider providing fans for their employees’ homes.“
