Labour is calling on the Government to provide clear health and
safety guidance to employers and introduce a maximum working
temperature to protect workers from extreme heat following the
Met Office issuing an extreme heat weather warning for the first
time.
Labour is calling for:
· Employers to allow their staff to work flexibly so they can
avoid dangerous temperatures e.g. to avoid rush hour commutes,
and allowing staff to work from home where possible
· Employers to schedule outside tasks for early morning and late
afternoon, when temperatures are cooler, and to organise work to
take place under shade wherever possible
· Employers to keep workplaces cool by opening windows,
installing ventilation or air cooling, and moving staff away from
windows and sources of heat
· The relaxation of workplace dress codes so to allow workers to
wear clothes that help keep them cool
· Allowing staff to take more frequent breaks and providing cold
drinks
· The introduction of a maximum indoor temperature, with
employers obliged to adopt cooling measures when the workplace
temperature hits the maximum
· Employers to consult with staff and trade unions on other
measures to protect workers in extreme heat
, Labour’s Shadow Employment Rights and Protections
Secretary, said:
“Following the unprecedented extreme heat warning from the Met
Office, the Government must ensure that employers are taking
steps to protect their workers. Most employers are responsible
and want to take steps to protect their staff from extreme heat,
but the Government must issue clear guidance.
“Given the dangers of working in heat, there should be a maximum
working temperature. Extreme heat is a serious health and safety
risk and working people must not be exposed to dangerous
conditions that threaten their health and wellbeing.”
Ends
Notes to editors
Met Office issues first UK extreme heat warning https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-57893385
The Health and Safety Executive lists the effects of heat stress
as: “an inability to concentrate, muscle cramps, heat rash,
severe thirst - a late symptom of heat stress, fainting, heat,
exhaustion - fatigue, giddiness, nausea, headache, moist skin,
heat stroke - hot dry skin,, confusion, convulsions and eventual
loss of consciousness. This is the most severe disorder and can
result in death if not detected at an early stage”https://www.hse.gov.uk/temperature/heatstress/index.htm
There’s no law for minimum or maximum working temperatures.
There’s no guidance for a maximum temperature limit. https://www.gov.uk/workplace-temperatures
