Are your employees protected against heat stress? Whether your team is working outdoors, on factory floors, in kitchens, or even in offices without proper ventilation, working in high temperatures comes with serious risks—and legal responsibilities.
Let’s take a look at the dangers, what the law says, and, most importantly, what you can do right now to keep your team safe.
What is heat stress?
Heat stress happens when the body struggles to regulate its temperature in a hot environment. It can lead to:
- Headaches, dizziness, fatigue
- Muscle cramps and dehydration
- Heat exhaustion (nausea, confusion, excessive sweating)
- Heat stroke — a life-threatening emergency
Even mild symptoms can impair concentration and lead to accidents, especially in high-risk environments.
What does the law say on heat stress?
In the UK, while there’s no legally defined maximum working temperature, employers must:
- Provide a “reasonable” indoor working temperature under the Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992.
- Take action to prevent harm under the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974.
- Assess risks to health under the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999
In short: you are legally required to act if high temperatures could impact health or safety.
What can employers do for heat stress today?
If you’re experiencing high temperatures now, here are immediate actions to take:
- Encourage hydration – Ensure water is easily accessible across all working areas.
- Remind employees to take regular water breaks, not just wait until they’re thirsty
- Adjust work patterns – Reschedule strenuous tasks for cooler parts of the day (early morning or later afternoon).
- Rotate jobs to limit prolonged heat exposure
- Provide shade and cool areas – Set up shaded rest areas or use pop-up shelters for outdoor workers.
- Use fans or portable air conditioning indoors where needed
- Relax PPE requirements where safe – Review if certain PPE is contributing to overheating
- Consult your health & safety adviser if modifications can be made safely
- Train your team – Circulate a quick guide on heat stress symptoms
- Encourage workers to speak up if they feel unwell as heat stroke can develop fast
Longer-term measures to consider
- Improve ventilation systems
- Review uniform or PPE policy for lighter alternatives
- Install temperature monitoring in problem areas
- Update your risk assessments to account for rising summer temperatures
Final word
With today’s heat, this isn’t something to put off. Heat stress can cause serious illness, or worse. Make sure you’re checking in with your team, adapting your environment, and meeting your legal duties.
