As long as you respect a safe working temperature, it`s up to you to adjust the thermostat. But keep in mind that your employees may have different preferences and you should try to accommodate them. While there is no legal pressure for bosses to send employees home if they get too hot, the government advises: “Employees should talk to their employer if the workplace temperature is not comfortable.” As an employer, you are responsible for providing your employees with a comfortable and safe work environment. Unfortunately, the idea that you can ask to be fired from work when a certain temperature is reached is a myth in the UK. Met Office deputy chief meteorologist Dan Harris said: “Maximum temperatures were well above average almost everywhere in the UK this week, with the exception of the islands in the west and north of Scotland. She cited recommendations from the Chartered Institute of Building Equipment Engineers for optimal working temperatures for various professions: Some work environments can become extremely hot due to the work done and the equipment used. The radiant heat of the machines, as well as the speed and humidity of the air, make it difficult to obtain an accurate measurement of the air temperature. Severe heat warning when temperatures rise Employees should talk to their employer if the workplace temperature is not comfortable. In this case, employers may need to conduct a more detailed workplace risk assessment. “It means different things to different industries.

For example, some outside employers may need to account for employees` different hours to allow them to work cooler times of the day, while employers with office staff may need to regulate air conditioning temperatures or ensure the supply of fresh air to windows and fans. “FCAC says drivers should have an emergency kit in the trunk, including water, food, sunscreen and a fully charged phone.” If your car doesn`t have efficient air conditioning, consider postponing an unnecessary trip,” Dennis adds. “This is particularly important advice for vulnerable people, including the very young and the elderly, for whom extremely high temperatures pose a clear health risk. “It is likely that temperatures in much of the UK will gradually fall to average or slightly above average by next week, although occasional thunderstorms are possible in the south and southwest. Seems even more unstable in the latter part of the period. Employees are responsible for informing their supervisor of any concerns they have and if they believe they need to change their duties policies. If people usually wear business clothes at work, it is recommended that employers allow them to adopt a casual dress code for comfort in hot weather. Even if an employer has provided a temperature that most consider an acceptable temperature in the workplace, thermal comfort is highly subjective. This is because a person reacts to heat can depend on personal factors such as age, weight, fitness, and clothing, as well as environmental factors, including heat source and humidity level. They also claim that heavy work in factories can be enjoyable at 13°C, and very sedentary work can be good at around 24°C.

Some workers will be in an office, while others will be outside and still others will work from home. Employers should regularly reassess their PPE, as there may be newer, lighter alternatives that provide a higher level of protection and comfort. They should also regularly review their risk assessment to see if the process could be automated or if other work or control systems could be put in place. You need to conduct a thorough risk assessment of your workplace, and it`s important that you consider the temperature at all times of the year. If you don`t do this and offer solutions for extreme cold or heat, it could be a violation of the Health and Safety Act. The official manual states: “In offices or similar environments, the temperature in the workplace must be appropriate. There is no law for maximum working temperature or when it is too hot to work. Calls to introduce a legal maximum temperature for work in the UK amid a record-breaking heatwave would not solve the real problem, according to a legal expert. “Factors other than air temperature, i.e. radiation temperature, humidity and air velocity, are becoming more important and the interaction between them becomes more complex as temperatures rise.” The coronavirus pandemic has led many businesses to try working from home for the first time.

However, remote work is not a case of. At very high or low working temperatures caused by work, such as hot and cold processes, these temperatures can lead to serious health risks if not managed effectively. In these circumstances, employers should regularly review their work practices related to thermal conditions and, if necessary, carry out additional checks to deal with specific risks such as cold stress, heat stress and dehydration. This may include medical examinations or health monitoring for employees who have special requirements due to pregnancy, hormonal imbalance, illness, disability or medication. “After a return to closer and locally rather cool temperatures in the coming days, warm weather is expected to rise steadily again this weekend and is expected to peak early next week. If you work from home, your employer should still check to see if you think the work you`re supposed to be doing at home can be done safely in a variety of circumstances.