How hot?!?!?!

July 2, 2009

It can’t be escaping many people’s attention that there’s a heatwave throughout the UK this week, especially if, like me, you work in an office with no air conditioning and the sun shining directly through the windows all day like some sort of greenhouse!
Excessive heat at work is an important issue that employers need to consider at this time of year. Whilst many sick days during the summer may be sceptically attributed to the opportunity to sunbathe and enjoy the hot weather, there are real potential health risks that could impact on the effectiveness of the business if employers do not take care of their staff.
Excessive heat can lead to illness such as headaches, dizziness and nausea, and in worst cases fainting. It is more difficult to concentrate when it is so hot and this could lead to mistakes or loss of productivity. The main causes of these problems are dehydration and overheating, so measures should be in place which in the ideal situation would be air conditioning, but if not then good ventilation and plenty of fans for everyone to use. Employees should have a supply of cool drinking water and another measure may be to relax the dress code slightly, for example allow male workers to remove ties and open top buttons. Most people will be finding it difficult to sleep at night due to the heat, which the organisation cannot do anything about, but if workers are turning up already tired then the workplace needs to be as comfortable as possible to avoid further detriments to the way employees are feeling.
In terms of the law, there is currently no upper temperature limit or proper guidelines to inform employers how hot it can get before employees cannot work. There is a lower limit, but no upper limit has ever been imposed. Earlier in the year the TUC called for an upper temperature of 24C to be put in place for workplaces but this did not happen. So at the moment employees have no way of making a claim that their workplace is too hot, but this doesn’t mean that employers shouldn’t take the issue seriously, because, as stated earlier, organisational problems can occur if employees struggle to work or feel ill due to the heat.

Things to consider:
Hot Air Tools here
If you want some Buttons come to us.
Get your Greenhouse Staging here!!!

Posted by hrgirl | Filed Under Health and Well being 

Comments

One Response to “How hot?!?!?!”

  1. Jo on October 18th, 2009 4:13 pm

    The temperature in the office can play a huge role on production when its too hot staff can get groggy and un motivated. We moved offices a few weeks ago to an office with great air conditioning unfortunately now its too cold as the temperature has dropped! Now everyone is wasting time getting hot drinks. You can rarely win but employers would find it in their best interests to make the working environment comfortable.

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