The majority of us look forward to the good weather at this time of the year but to the many employees at work during this hot period it may be a time of stress due to conditions of heat, and often cold which may be outside their control.

Some of the issues and risks may cover the following:

• Heat stress
• Cold stress
• Dehydration
• Working in the sun
• Handling food in a cold environment

When working outdoors the effects of the weather in this environment can potentially have a very serious impact on an employees welfare if the risks have never been previously considered or managed properly. This impact maybe immediate or it occur over a long time period.


For example, exposure to the sun can cause skin damage including sunburn, blistering and skin ageing and in the long term can lead to an increased risk of skin cancer. Skin cancer is one of the most common forms of cancer in the western world with many new cases every year.

People can avoid unnecessary exposure by such means as:

• Wearing long sleeve shirts or loose clothing with a close weave
• Wearing hats with a wide brim
• More frequent rest breaks
• Taking breaks in the shade whenever possible
• Scheduling work to cooler times of the day
• If possible, provide shade where work tasks are being undertaken
• Sun protection is important and people need to realise that sunburnt skin is damaged skin. A suntan is not a sign of good health.

When working indoors:

• A reasonable working temperature in workrooms usually at least 16°C, or 13°C for strenuous work (unless other laws require lower temperatures).
• Local heating or cooling where a comfortable temperature cannot be maintained throughout each work room (eg hot and cold processes).
• Thermal clothing and rest facilities where necessary, eg for ‘hot work’ or cold stores.
• Heating systems which do not give off dangerous or offensive levels of fume into the workplace
• Sufficient space in work rooms.

Reporting

The Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992 lay down particular requirements for most aspects of the working environment. Regulation 7 of these Regulations deals specifically with the temperature in indoor workplaces and states that:

During working hours, the temperature in all workplaces inside buildings shall be reasonable.

However, the application of the regulation depends on the nature of the workplace i.e. a bakery, a cold store, an office, a warehouse.

The associated ACOP goes on to explain:

‘The temperature in workrooms should provide reasonable comfort without the need for special clothing. Where such a temperature is impractical because of hot or cold processes, all reasonable steps should be taken to achieve a temperature which is as close as possible to comfortable. 'Workroom' means a room where people normally work for more than short periods.

The temperature in workrooms should normally be at least 16 degrees Celsius unless much of the work involves severe physical effort in which case the temperature should be at least 13 degrees Celsius. These temperatures may not, however, ensure reasonable comfort, depending on other factors such as air movement and relative humidity.’

Where the temperature in a workroom would otherwise be uncomfortably high, for example because of hot processes or the design of the building, all reasonable steps should be taken to achieve a reasonably comfortable temperature, for example by:

• Insulating hot plants or pipes.
• Providing air-cooling plant.
• Shading windows.
• Siting workstations away from places subject to radiant heat.

Where a reasonably comfortable temperature cannot be achieved throughout a workroom, local cooling should be provided. In extremely hot weather fans and increased ventilation may be used instead of local cooling.

Where, despite the provision of local cooling, workers are exposed to temperatures which do not give reasonable comfort, suitable protective clothing and rest facilities should be provided. Where practical there should be systems of work (for example, task rotation) to ensure that the length of time for which individual workers are exposed to uncomfortable temperatures is limited.