Practical advice for employers during the heat wave

By KMC Human Resources

30 Jul 2018

Hot weather can be brilliant when you’ve got time off and are able to enjoy it. But having to go to work in high temperatures can be uncomfortable at least and depending on the type of working environment, can be almost unbearable.

With a further spell of hot weather forecast over the coming week, what do you need to bear in mind as an employer?

Keep an eye on the temperature

Under the Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992, employers are required to keep the temperature in all workplaces inside buildings at a ‘reasonable’ level.  In law, there is therefore not a specified maximum temperature that employers need to adhere to.

However, employers should be proactive in ensuring a ‘reasonable’ temperature is maintained in the workplace. There is no obligation to provide cooling devices such as air conditioning units or fans, but considering workers who get too hot will likely have lower productivity levels, it might make financial sense to buy or hire them. If there are other ways of reducing the temperature, such as opening windows or shutting blinds or curtains, then these should also be considered.

Ensuring staff have access to a regular supply of cool drinking water is sensible at any time of year, but especially during a heat wave.  If premises allow, how about setting up some outside seating in a shaded area where staff could enjoy rest breaks?  Or you might consider treating the team to ice-cream!

Travel considerations

Many employers forget that the time spent travelling to and from work is also covered by employment legislation. Public transport can be particularly hot and uncomfortable during heatwaves. Employers could consider encouraging car share schemes or allowing travel outside of core working hours when public transport is likely to be quieter.

Dress code

Although many employers have a dress code in place to ensure a professional or corporate image is maintained, certain items of clothing can further add to the effects of the heat. Jackets, trousers and ties can be particularly problematic and as such, an employer may decide to suspend their normal policy on company dress, especially on particularly hot days.

If an employer chooses to temporarily relax their dress code, they should give all employees advance notice in writing and still be specific about what is and is not acceptable.  Beware of discrimination too.

Even in hot weather, health and safety measures still need to be met, so depending on the type of workplace, it may not be possible to make changes to the workwear policy.

Be mindful of vulnerable workers

Where a company employs ‘vulnerable workers’, such as those with a disability, health concern or pregnant workers, any additional steps to counteract the hot temperatures should be considered. For example, additional rest breaks, providing fans and ensuring that ventilation is adequate, might be sensible allowances.

For more help or advice in relation to the heatwave, company dress codes or any other employment law matter, please contact us.

Latest news

1

Supermarket stays put in blow to town's £250m masterplan Blackburn Aerial

Supermarket stays put in blow to town's £250m masterplan

28 Mar 2024

2

Modern Milkman acquires American counterpart article placeholder listing image

Modern Milkman acquires American counterpart

28 Mar 2024

3

Tips for surviving Lancashire's pothole plague

Tips for surviving Lancashire's pothole plague

28 Mar 2024

4

The Pikes wines launched to support Lake District mountain rescue THE PIKES BLOG BANNER.jpg.jpg

The Pikes wines launched to support Lake District mountain rescue

28 Mar 2024

5

Fundraising success sees Stanley Women compete in Dallas Cup The Accrington Stanley Under 18s team which are currently in Dallas.jpg.jpg

Fundraising success sees Stanley Women compete in Dallas Cup

28 Mar 2024

Hwc 2024 Email Signature 980x120
Background image for hub sign up block

LBV Hub

Reach 50,000 members of the Lancashire business community

Post your news
Post your events
Post your offers
Company profile
Social reach
Magazine coverage
Sign-up
Events
Health and Wellbeing Conference 2024
Hwc 2024 Social Media 1200px 1
Networking
23 Apr 2024

Health and Wellbeing Conference 2024

Crow Wood Hotel, Burnley , BB12 0RT

08:30 - 13:00

Business Networking in Preston - BNI Brunch
EVENT LISTING SIZING Brunch .png.png
LBV Hub Networking
29 Mar 2024

Business Networking in Preston - BNI Brunch

Samlesbury Preston Hotel, Preston New Road, Preston, PR5 0UL

09:30 - 11:00

Business Networking in Blackburn - BNI Infinity
EVENT LISTING BNI Infinity.png.png
LBV Hub Networking
29 Mar 2024

Business Networking in Blackburn - BNI Infinity

Hampton by Hilton, 2 Frontier Ave, Blackburn, BB1 3AL

06:30 - 08:30

Business Networking in Chorley - BNI Endeavour
EVENT LISTING SIZING Endeavour.png.png
LBV Hub Networking
02 Apr 2024

Business Networking in Chorley - BNI Endeavour

Oak Royal, Bury Lane, Chorley, PR6 8SW

06:30 - 08:30

Business Networking in Blackburn - BNI Vista
EVENT LISTING SIZING Vista.png.png
LBV Hub Networking
02 Apr 2024

Business Networking in Blackburn - BNI Vista

Hampton by Hilton, 2 Frontier Ave, Blackburn, BB1 3AL

06:45 - 08:30

Business Networking in Preston - BNI Diamond
EVENT LISTING BNI Diamond.png.png
LBV Hub Networking
03 Apr 2024

Business Networking in Preston - BNI Diamond

The Marriot Hotel, Garstang Road, Broughton, PR3 5JB

07:15 - 09:00

Business Networking in Lancaster - Eden Business Network
EVENT LISTING Eden Business Network.png.png
LBV Hub Networking
03 Apr 2024

Business Networking in Lancaster - Eden Business Network

The Borough, 3 Dalton Square, Lancaster, LA1 1PP

18:30 - 20:30

Business Networking in Accrington - BNI Zeus
EVENT LISTING SIZING Zeus.png.png
LBV Hub Networking
03 Apr 2024

Business Networking in Accrington - BNI Zeus

The Mill House, Corn Mill Yard, Accrington, BB5 5HX

06:45 - 08:30

Business Networking in Burnley - BNI Kudos
EVENT LISTING BNI Kudos.png.png
LBV Hub Networking
04 Apr 2024

Business Networking in Burnley - BNI Kudos

Prairie Sports Village, Windemere Avenue, Burnley, BB10 2FU

06:45 - 08:30

Business Networking in Lancaster - BNI Castle
EVENT LISTING BNI Castle.png.png
LBV Hub Networking
04 Apr 2024

Business Networking in Lancaster - BNI Castle

Vale of Lune RUFC, Powder House Lane, Lancaster, LA1 2TT

06:45 - 08:30

Business Networking in Blackburn - BNI Infinity
EVENT LISTING BNI Infinity.png.png
LBV Hub Networking
05 Apr 2024

Business Networking in Blackburn - BNI Infinity

Hampton by Hilton, 2 Frontier Ave, Blackburn, BB1 3AL

06:30 - 08:30

Business Networking in Preston - BNI Brunch
EVENT LISTING SIZING Brunch .png.png
LBV Hub Networking
05 Apr 2024

Business Networking in Preston - BNI Brunch

Samlesbury Preston Hotel, Preston New Road, Preston, PR5 0UL

09:30 - 11:00

Advertise with us

Reaching 50,000 members, our print, digital and event platforms offer a fantastic way to raise your business profile and help you grow.

Find out more Lbv115 Online Graphic
Subscribe now

Weekly news bulletin