Heat waves at work and employer responsibilities
I bet we weren’t the only ones to enjoy the heatwave that took place last month. It’s lovely to see the sunshine coming out and be able to spend time basking in it, but for some people, particularly those who have to go to work while it’s so hot, it’s not much fun at all.
Did you know, there is no legal maximum working temperature? However, under the Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations, employers have a duty of care to ensure working temperatures are reasonable for their staff.
What are your responsibilities as an employer?
As an employer, it’s in your best interest to ensure your employees are comfortable and not at risk during a heatwave, so if we are lucky enough to see another one this year, here’s a few things you are responsible for:
Hydration - you must provide an adequate supply of clean, free and accessible drinking water when they are on your work premises
Ventilation - you should ensure any ventilation or air conditioning systems are maintained, provide fans and ensure windows can be opened
Alter work patterns - any heavy lifting or outdoor physical work should be scheduled for cooler parts of the day
Breaks - provide more frequent breaks and access to cooler areas where employees can rest
Relax dress codes - relax any formal uniform or dress code policies to allow for cooler, more breathable clothing to be worn.
What if employees work from home?
Remote workers are still covered by the Health and Safety at Work Act. As an employer you do not control your employee’s home environment, so your responsibilities change slightly, however, are still just as important.
Discuss home working setup - carry out a health and safety risk assessment with your employee and discuss their home working setup. Check if high temperatures are making it difficult or unsafe for them to work.
Adjust work patterns - UK homes are not made for heatwaves and are notoriously difficult to cool down, so allowing your remote employee to adjust their working hours could really help
Split time between the office and home - if the office has air conditioning, the employee may wish to work there instead of from home.
When assessing the risks for any employees, whether they work from home or in the office, employers must include those with health conditions or disabilities that can be affected by extreme temperatures, this also includes anyone who is pregnant, breastfeeding or just had a baby.
Periods of extreme heat are becoming much more common in the UK and taking some simple steps such as allowing flexible working hours, increasing rest breaks and making reasonable adjustments for vulnerable employees can make a huge difference. It can also help reduce the risk of heat-related illness and improves productivity and morale.
If you're unsure whether your current policies and risk assessments adequately cover hot weather working, now is a good time to review them before the next heatwave arrives, and this is certainly something we can help you with as HR Consultants in the South West. Just get in touch.