Resources

Risk assessment

• Risk assessment checklists [PDF 256KB]
• Measuring thermal comfort checklist [PDF 34KB]

HSE publications

• Prevention of heat illness in mines [PDF 209KB]
• "Heat stress in the workplace. What you need to know as an employer" [PDF 24KB]
• Keep your top on: Health risks from working in the sun [PDF 75KB]
• A short guide to the Personal Protective Equipment at Work 1992 [PDF 143KB]
• Sun protection: Advice for employers of outdoor workers [PDF 680kb]

The following publications are available from HSE Books:

• Workplace health, safety and welfare. Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992. Approved Code of Practice L24 HSE Books 1992 ISBN 0 7176 0413 6
• New and expectant mothers at work: A guide for employers HSG122 (Second edition) HSE Books 2002 ISBN 0 7176 2583 4

Legislation

The following legislation has been mentioned in this site:

• Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992 SI 1992/3004 The Stationery Office 1992 ISBN 0 11 025804 5
• Personal Protective Equipment (EC Directive) Regulations 1992 SI 1992/3139 The Stationery Office 1992 ISBN 0 11 025252 7

British, European and International standards relevant to working in thermal environments

The following standards may be useful when assessing thermal issues in the workplace.

• BS EN 28996 Ergonomics of the thermal environment – Estimation of metabolic heat production
• BS EN 27243 Hot environments – Estimation of heat stress on a working man, based on the WBGT – Index (Wet Bulb Globe Temperature)
• BS 7915 Ergonomics of the thermal environment – Guide to design and evaluation of working practices in cold indoor environments
• ISO 11079 IREQ Evaluation of cold environments – Determination of required clothing insulation (IREQ)
• BS EN 7730 Moderate thermal environments – Determination of the PMV and PPD indices and specification of the conditions for thermal comfort
• ISO 10551 Ergonomics of the thermal environment – assessment of the influence of the thermal environment using subjective judgment scales
• BS EN ISO 12894 Ergonomics of the thermal environment – Medical supervision of individuals exposed to extreme hot or cold environments
• BS 12515 ISO 7933 Hot environments – Analytical determination and interpretation of thermal stress using calculation of required sweat rate.
• BS 7963 Ergonomics of the thermal environment – Guide to the assessment of heat strain in workers wearing personal protective equipment
• BS EN 27726 Thermal environments – Instruments and methods for measuring physical quantities
• BS EN 14058 Protective clothing garments for protection against cool environments
• BS ISO 15265 Ergonomics of the thermal environment – Risk assessment strategy for the prevention of stress and discomfort in thermal working conditions
• BS EN 511 Specification for protective gloves against cold
• ISO 13732-3 Ergonomics of the thermal environment – Touching of cold surfaces Part 3. Ergonomics data and guidance for application
• BS EN 563 Safety of machinery – Temperatures of touchable surfaces – Ergonomics data to establish temperature limit values for hot surfaces
• ISO 11399 Ergonomics of the thermal environment – Principles and application of relevant international standards
• BS ISO 9920 Ergonomics of the thermal environment – Estimation of the thermal insulation and evaporative resistance of a clothing ensemble
• ISO 15743 Ergonomics of the thermal environment - cold workplaces - risk assessment and management

Other publications

• Parsons K C Human Thermal Environments (Second edition) Taylor and Francis 2002 ISBN 0415237939

Useful links

• BOHS Technical guide no 12: The Thermal Environment Second Edition
• BOHS Technical guide no 12: The Thermal Environment Addendum to the Second Edition 2009
• Heatwave: Plan for England - protecting health and reducing harm from extreme heat and heatwaves (2006), Department of Health
• Workplace Health Connect
• Relevant British Standards
• General NHS information on thermal comfort
• Communities and Local Government
• CIBSE (Chartered Institution of Building Service Engineers)
• CIBSE Heatwave Briefing 1: Keeping cool in a heatwave:toptips for facilities managers
• CIBSE Heatwave Briefing 2:Keeping cool in a heatwave: top tips for building users

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