TUC Issue Guide to Working in Heat Wave Conditions

Intended to help Unions safety Reps in dealing with the current heat wave and hot working conditions, the TUC guide is available from their website.

Here is a brief resume:

It is usually accepted that people work best at a temperature between 16 ° C and 24 ° C, although this can vary depending on the kind of work being done. Strenuous work is better performed at a slightly lower temperature than office work. The Chartered Institute of Building Services Engineers recommends the following temperatures for different working areas:

• Heavy work in factories: 13 ° C
• Light work in factories: 16 ° C
• Hospital wards and shops: 18 ° C
• Offices and dining rooms: 20 ° C

If the temperature varies too much from this then it can become a health and safety issue. If people get too hot, they risk dizziness, fainting, or even heat cramps. In very hot conditions the bodies blood temperature rises.

If the blood temperature rises above 39 ° C, there is a risk of heat stroke or collapse. Delirium or confusion can occur above 41 ° C. Blood temperatures at this level can prove fatal and even if a worker does recover, they may suffer irreparable organ damage.

However even at lower temperatures heat leads to a loss of concentration and increased tiredness, which means that workers are more likely to put themselves or others at risk.

At the same time working in the sun can, for many people, increase their risk of skin cancer, while the glare from the sun can be a problem for drivers and those working on roofs where roof lights can blend into the surrounding roof in bright sunlight.

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