Businesses Need To Chill Out To Avoid A Summer Slump

Almost eight in ten employers surveyed are saying that office temperature is an issue this summer - however, with no legal maximum workplace temperature, many businesses are neglecting to take into account heat as a workplace risk.

HSE guidelines state that employers have a duty to ensure reasonable workplace temperature, but Croner says that, due to the unreliable British summer, too many employers fail to monitor workplace temperature closely enough.

Croner is advising employers that confining employees to stuffy offices and restrictive work-wear could seriously impact the health of their workforce - and ultimately their business.

Workplace temperature varies in different working environments and with varying levels of exertion required by workers. Employers should therefore monitor workplace temperature and consider installing cooling measures where necessary, such as air conditioning units. Where this is not feasible, they may consider relaxing the dress code during the hottest summer months, as long as this does not compromise safety.

Croner is offering businesses the following top tips to help them keep employees cool this summer:

The employer must carry out a risk assessment and consider such factors as:

• Work-rate - the harder someone works the greater the body heat generated
• Working climate - this includes air temperature, humidity, air movement and the effects of working near a heat source
• Worker clothing and respiratory protective equipment-may impair the efficiency of sweating and other means of temperature regulation

• Worker’s age, build, and medical factors-may affect an individual’s tolerance.

• Provision of cool drinking water and isotonic drinks
• More frequent rest breaks
• Provide mechanical aids where possible to reduce the work rate, or reduce physical activity
• Increase natural ventilation, provide fans and air conditioning units where possible
• Relaxed clothing, if it does not impair safety.