How hot it needs to be before British workers should be sent home by employers

Trying to maintain your productivity levels at the office is far easier said than done when working in a stifling, sweaty environment.

With temperatures set to soar in the coming days, with the hottest day of the year fast approaching, those without sufficient access to air conditioning will no doubt have started thinking about how long they’ll realistically last working in unbearable heat.

So how hot does it need to be before British workers should be sent home by their employers? Here’s everything you need to know.

The guidance on workplace temperatures

Employers have a legal obligation to ensure that the temperature in the workplace is “reasonable”, as outlined by the Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992.

Not only do they have a responsibility to maintain a suitable temperature for their employees, but it’s also their duty to ensure that the air is clean and fresh.

While there isn’t a maximum temperature for the workplace as laid out by the government, efforts have been made in the past to put one into place.

In 2006, the Trades Union Congress (TUC) released a briefing that highlighted the temperatures that it believes should be maintained in various workplaces as a matter of health and safety.

The TUC stated that it believes a maximum temperature of 30C should be set by employers, with a maximum of 27C put into place for those doing strenuous work.

The government has however stated its recommended minimum temperatures for employees.

The Health and Safety Executive recommends a minimum temperature of 16C for workers and 13C for those carrying out manual work under its Approved Code of Practice.

Despite the fact that a maximum temperature in the workplace hasn’t become legalised in the UK, there are measures that employees can utilise if they’re of the opinion that their workplace has become too hot to handle.

What to do if your workplace is too hot

The government recommends that employees speak to their bosses if the temperature in their workplace is uncomfortable.

According to the Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service (ACAS), employers should carry out a risk assessment for the health and safety of their workers in order to determine whether the workplace is a safe environment in which to work.

It’s ultimately up to the employer to decide whether the circumstances aren’t suitable for work.

However, it also depends on what kind of environment you work in.

If working outdoors, it’s the employer’s responsibility to introduce rest breaks for their workers and encourage them to hydrate regularly.

Furthermore, for those who typically wear business clothes to work, adopting a more casual dress code could prove essential for the overall wellbeing of employees.

Here are some measures that employees can put into place to keep workplaces as cool as possible:

• Insulate exposed pipes that can become hot.

• Shade windows.

• Move workstations away from areas that are exposed to the sun or frequently become hot.

• Provide air conditioning or fans for employees.

• Provide thermometers so that workers can keep an eye on the temperature.

• Rotate workers if certain individuals are forced to cope with uncomfortable temperatures for prolonged periods of time.

Brits are currently facing the hottest week of the year so far, with temperatures surpassing 30C.