Health and Safety
Executive / Commission
Temperature
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has produced a free information sheet on heat stress in the workplace found at "Heat stress in the workplace. What you need to know as an employer" [PDF 24kb]. It explains the risks of overheating when working in hot conditions such as bakeries, compressed air tunnels, foundries and smelting operations. It does not address issues of thermal comfort in the workplace.
The hot summer months may increase the risks for some people, but in many jobs heat stress is an issue all year round.
For those who want to know more, HSE is developing guidance for employers on how to manage and assess the risk of heat stress in their workplace. While developing this guidance HSE will be consulting externally and would welcome hearing from those who would like to be involved.
For information on thermal comfort in the workplace, see HSE's publication Thermal comfort in the workplace: Guidance for employers. HSG 194.