AS THE EXTREME hot weather is set to continue this week, employers are once again being warned to protect their workers from heat and sun exposure.

Last week, the first yellow heat-health alert to be issued in 2023 was announced.

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) says this alert – and the record high temperatures seen in Great Britain last summer – should prompt employers to take action to protect those working both inside and outside in extreme heat.

HSE saw a surge in people seeking advice during summer 2022 – with visits to its online hot weather working guidance increasing by nearly a thousand percent, and the number of concerns relating to hot weather reported to HSE almost doubling in July, when temperatures exceeded 40oC in the UK for the first time in history.

Extreme Heat Risk Assessment

Employers must assess risks to the health and safety of their workers by law, including risks from extreme weather such as heat waves. While there is no legal maximum temperature for workplaces, heat is classed as a hazard and should be treated like other hazards.

HSE says everyone – whether working indoors or outdoors – is at risk and employers should discuss with workers changes to manage the risk.

Protective Measures

HSE is asking employers to consider simple and cheap measures such as:

Offering flexible working patterns so workers can work at cooler times of the day
Provide free access to drinking water
Relaxing dress codes if possible
Providing weather-appropriate personal protective equipment
Encouraging workers to remove personal protective equipment when resting (ideally in shaded areas) to cool off
Sharing information about the symptoms of heat stress and what to do if someone is affected
Making sure workplace windows can be opened or closed to prevent hot air from circulating or building up
Using blinds or reflective film on workplace windows to shade workers from the sun
Placing workstations away from direct sunlight and heat sources
Putting insulation around hot pipes and machinery

Outdoor workers, including roofers, are also once again being warned about the additional dangers of sun exposure, such as increased risk of skin cancer. Find tips for protecting yourself from sun exposure here.

John Rowe, HSE’s Head of Operational Strategy, said: “Last summer should have been a wakeup call for all employers. Climate change means we’re likely to get hotter summers and that could have a big impact on the workforce of this country, affecting everything from health of workers to productivity on construction sites.

“We know all employers are under pressure and we don’t want to add to their burden but it’s vital they think hard now about simple and cheap measures they can put in place to support workers should we see extreme heat again this summer.

“The extreme heat we experienced in 2022 isn’t going away so sensible, supportive employers will be planning now how they should respond.”

 

>> Read more tips for staying safe in the sun at work here

The post Top Tips for Working in Extreme Heat appeared first on Roofing Today.