With temperatures in the UK set to reach heights of 30 degrees throughout the summer months, it’s important for employers to take into consideration the health and well-being of their employees. Whether working in an office environment, on-site (such as construction or factory settings) or as a remote worker, the temperature in which work is taking place must be considered and managed properly.
Whilst there is currently no legal working temperature in the workplace and there are no laws on temperature at work, it is recommended by the HSE (Health and Safety Executive) that you manage the effects of temperatures based on whether the workplace is indoors or outdoors, as well as taking the normal operating temperature of the environment into consideration.
If temperatures are too high within the workplace, employers should carry out a risk assessment to determine any potential hazards or risks and decide if it is too hot to work. Whilst employees do not have the right to refuse to work, as an employer, it is your duty to ensure they are comfortable and safe.
Indoor and Outdoor Working Environments
The ideal office temperature (UK) is between 21 °C and 23 °C. As mentioned above, whilst there is no legal working temperature limit, exceeding these temperatures can result in a decline in comfort, productivity and employee satisfaction.
If your staff are working outdoors, it’s extremely important to monitor the weather and temperatures to ensure your employees are protected from the direct sun and heat. Too much sun exposure can have long-term effects, so it’s important to provide a cool and shaded area or look at rescheduling working hours to work around the hotter times of the day.
When Is it Too Hot to Work?
There are a number of things you can do as an employer to ensure the working environment is safe when temperatures rise, from introducing fans, opening windows and turning off radiators where necessary, to allowing staff to come to work in cool, relaxed clothing to help them regulate the temperature. You can also provide cold drinks and other refreshments to help manage the heat and make the working environment more comfortable.
What about those with disabilities?
Many disabilities affect the body’s ability to control temperature through mechanisms like sweating and vasoconstriction, making it harder to cool down in hot weather. Heat can worsen symptoms of neurological conditions like multiple sclerosis and Parkinson’s disease, leading to increased pain, muscle spasms, and fatigue.
Where workers are disabled and this is known to employers, they are legally required to make reasonable adjustments for disabled employees, including those whose conditions are worsened by heat.
A failure to do so could contravene the Equality Act.