Acas has issued guidance to help employers manage staff and workplace risks during a heatwave.
The advice comes as the Met Office issued a red warning for extreme heat in parts of England and Wales for later this week.
A four-day amber warning was already in place, but this was upgraded to red between 9am on Wednesday and 9pm on Thursday for central, southern and south-east England, and parts of south Wales.
The Met Office warned that it looked ‘increasingly likely’ that maximum temperatures in the shade would exceed 37 Celsius, perhaps rising to 38 to 40 Celsius in some places.
A red warning is the most severe weather alert and means the Met Office believes conditions could lead to ‘serious illness or danger to life’ and that ‘substantial changes in working practices and daily routines will be required’.
It also warns of potential disruption to power supplies and transport.
Acas chief executive Niall Mackenzie said the extreme heat would mean ‘an uncomfortable week for many people’.
‘Some workers with certain health conditions or disabilities may be adversely affected by the heat. The hotter weather can also impact public transport, which can disrupt people’s journeys to and from work,’ he said.
Acas said employers should consider being flexible if staff are delayed because public transport is affected by the heat.
It also said that, although employers are not obliged to relax dress codes, it ‘may be advisable’ to relax rules on ties or suits where possible.
Acas said that by law, employers have a duty of care to make sure working temperatures are reasonable for their staff.
This means that where extreme temperatures are expected, employers should plan how to keep staff comfortable and safe, carry out health and safety risk assessments, and reduce or remove any risks identified.
However, there is no legal maximum working temperature. The Health & Safety Executive (HSE) advice is that the temperature in all workplaces inside buildings must be ‘reasonable’.
Acas also reminded employers that staff with health conditions or disabilities may be more affected by hot weather. It said that employers should assess any risks and discuss what support staff may need to reduce or remove them.
Possible measures include providing fans or portable air-cooling units or allowing more frequent or longer breaks. The organisation added that employers must make reasonable adjustments for workers with disabilities.
Acas recommendations for working in a heatwave
Workplace temperatures should be reasonable: There is no legal maximum working temperature. The Health & Safety Executive (HSE) advice is that the temperature in all workplaces inside buildings must be reasonable. The HSE offers advice on how to carry out a thermal comfort risk assessment.
Keeping cool at work: Switch on any fans or air conditioners to keep workplaces comfortable and use blinds or curtains to block out sunlight.
Stay hydrated: Employers must provide staff with suitable drinking water in the workplace. Workers should drink plenty of water throughout the day to prevent dehydration and not wait until they are thirsty. Employers could allow extra breaks for staff to get cold drinks.
Dress code: Employers are not under any obligation to relax their uniform or dress code requirements during hot weather but where possible it may be advisable to for employers to relax the rules for wearing ties or suits.
Getting into work: If public transport gets adversely affected by the hot weather, this could affect staff attendance and their ability to get into work on time. Staff should check timetables in advance, and employers should be flexible.
Vulnerable workers: Workers with health conditions or disabilities may be affected more by hot weather. Employers should assess for any risks and discuss what they need to reduce or remove that risk. This might include providing fans, portable air-cooling units or more frequent or longer breaks. Employers must make reasonable adjustments for workers with disabilities.
Source: Acas
