IS YOUR WORKPLACE ASSESSING THE RISKS FOR THE NEXT HEATWAVE?

After the extreme heatwave last month, many workers and businesses are bracing themselves for the next one, and others that are likely to follow this summer.

For those wondering what the limit is for working in hot weather, the short answer is there isn’t one.  There is no legal maximum temperature for working  in hot weather in the UK.

BUT employers still have to be mindful of their duty of care obligations under the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974.

Although there is no maximum temperature for workplaces, all workers (including those who work from home) are entitled to an environment where risks to their health and safety, like heat, are taken account of and minimised as much as is reasonable.

Employers should be particularly mindful of the risks to workers that may be particularly susceptible to heat stress, like pregnant workers or young workers.

Carrying out a hot weather risk assessment is an important part of employers managing risks around the workplace in the summer months.
Patch Law can provide a FREE template to give employers a helping hand when doing severe weather risk assessments.

Please be aware that carrying out the risk assessment is not a stand-alone task. Rather it should be the first step in helping to ensure that the workforce (and anyone else who may be affected) is as safe as reasonably practicable.

If you would like a FREE copy of the risk assessment template please let us know, or for any other advice on this topic, please contact us on 0117 290 0905 or by sending us an email at: enquiries@patchlaw.co.uk