| Stephen Morris | Workplace Wellbeing
This is a message from Stephen Morris, General Secretary of the Workers of England Union.
Dear Member,
As reported in the media, a severe weather warning has been issued covering parts of England and Wales. The warning is for predominately Wednesday and Thursday this week, with extreme temperatures expected across a number of areas. But we want this to be a reminder for the summer as well.
We advise our members to keep informed of any official advice issued by local authorities, the Government and emergency services, and to take sensible precautions to protect themselves and colleagues during this period of extreme heat during the summer.
Accessing Official Hot Weather and Health Guidance
Please keep up to date with the latest official guidance:
Hot Weather Advice:
Temperature in the workplace: Heat stress - HSE
Summary of GOV.UK "Beat the heat: staying safe in hot weather"
Prevent dehydration: Drink fluids regularly throughout the day, choosing water, diluted squash, or lower fat milks while limiting sugary soft drinks and alcohol.
Protect skin and eyes: Stay in the shade between 11 am and 3 pm, wear loose, lightweight clothing, use a wide-brimmed hat, wear wraparound sunglasses, and regularly apply sunscreen of at least SPF 30.
Modify activities: Restrict strenuous physical activity and outdoor exercise to the cooler morning or evening hours, and ensure children do not overexert themselves on hot days.
Avoid closed spaces: Never leave babies, children, vulnerable adults, or pets alone in stationary cars, and ensure prams are shaded with proper airflow.
Support vulnerable individuals: Regularly check on older people, young children, isolated neighbors, and those with underlying health conditions to help them stay cool and hydrated.
Summary of HSE "Heat stress: Guide for employers"
Identify the risk factors: Assess risks by examining the physical work rate, air temperature, humidity, air movement, and any heavy or restricted work clothing.
Control the workplace temperature: Implement engineering solutions such as using fans or air conditioning, changing work processes, or using physical barriers to block radiant heat.
Limit exposure and work rates: Provide mechanical tools to reduce physical effort, regulate shift lengths, schedule demanding tasks for cooler times of day, and provide frequent rest breaks in cool areas.
Prevent worker dehydration: Provide easily accessible cool drinking water and actively encourage staff to drink small amounts frequently before, during, and after shifts.
Monitor health and PPE: Train employees to recognize early symptoms like muscle cramps, dizziness, or confusion, and adapt personal protective equipment usage to prevent trapped body heat.
Met Office Extreme Heat Advice:
https://weather.metoffice.gov.
Summary of the extreme heat advice from the Met Office page:
Keep yourself cool: Stay out of the sun and avoid exercise between 11 am and 3 pm, drink plenty of fluids, close curtains facing the sun, and wear sunscreen, a hat, and light clothing.
Travel safely on public transport: Always carry water, use a small hand-held fan, and step off at the next stop for fresh air if you begin to feel unwell.
Practice water safety: Be aware of cold water shock in temperatures below 15°C, and use appropriate gear like wetsuits, life jackets, or swimming buoys.
Look after others: Check on vulnerable individuals, such as the elderly, those living alone, or people with underlying health conditions, to ensure they are staying cool and hydrated.
Employer Obligations and Risk Mitigation Under Heat Stress
Members should also remain in regular contact with their employer regarding any workplace concerns that may arise because of the hot weather conditions. This is particularly important for those working outdoors, travelling for work, or working in environments where high temperatures may affect health and wellbeing or safety.
Employers have a duty to ensure that workplaces remain safe, and reasonable adjustments may be required where hot temperatures create risks to employees.
If you have any concerns regarding your health and safety at work, or if you believe your employer is not taking appropriate steps to protect staff during this period of extreme heat, please do not hesitate to contact the Workers of England Union for advice and support.
Stay safe and take care.
Stephen Morris
General Secretary
Workers of England Union
Key Takeaways
- Monitoring Weather Warnings: Members must stay proactive by closely monitoring official updates and local authority extreme heat metrics during unexpected thermal spikes.
- Duty of Care Compliance: British employers are legally required to evaluate thermal stress indicators and deliver reasonable modifications to sustain general safety metrics.
- High-Exposure Risk Roles: Field workers, mobile logistics staff, and structural manufacturing operators must maintain ongoing communication regarding environmental health hazards.
- Accessing Union Protection: If a workplace environment drops below basic occupational comfort levels, personnel should engage trade union caseworkers to address compliance failures.
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