With amber heat alerts in place, and temperatures expected to hit 31°C in London this week, there’s one question that might come to mind. Is it too hot to work?

Office-working Brits are once again entering the season of uncomfortably hot working environments, and to help explain what the law says about working in the heat, health and safety experts from High Speed Training have examined how heatwaves impact workers, as well as providing advice for how employers should look after their employees in the hot weather.

Working in a heatwave is not only uncomfortable for workers, but it can also be dangerous in certain professions, not to mention impacting overall workplace productivity.

Dr Richard Anderson, Head of Learning and Development at High Speed Training, said: says: “Working in the middle of a heatwave can be incredibly uncomfortable, especially in buildings or environments where adequate air conditioning isn’t available. For those working from home on a temporary or permanent basis, the lines may appear to be blurred between who is responsible for what. But it’s important to note that employers have a duty to ensure the health and safety of all their employees, regardless of where they work.

“This means they should make the necessary arrangements to help employees who work from home maintain a comfortable temperature. Measures they may take include many of those described above, such as providing fans to help cool the employee’s working area and allowing flexible working, as well as providing guidance on how to stay cool. For example, ensuring staff know to keep curtains closed in sun-facing rooms, and encouraging them to take plenty of breaks to drink water and regain their concentration.

“If employees working from home still struggle with heat after these considerations, further measures may need to be discussed as part of the risk assessment. For example, determining if there is a local office that is air-conditioned or generally cooler than their home where they can temporarily work.”

Currently, there is no legal maximum working temperature in the UK, but the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) states that working temperatures must provide "reasonable comfort." It is an employer's legal duty to conduct a risk assessment to determine a suitable temperature for their specific environment. Factors like humidity, airflow, and physical effort all play a part.

Excessive heat can lead to poor concentration, reduced productivity, and heat stress, posing a significant safety risk, particularly in safety-critical roles. Protecting employee well-being in the heat is essential for both safety and business productivity.

Further advice can be found on the HSE website and in the following guidance document for heat stress.

For more information about High Speed Training, visit: https://www.highspeedtraining.co.uk/