When the temperature rises, are your safety measures keeping pace? 

When the sun comes out, most of us welcome it. But while warmer weather can lift spirits, it can also introduce new challenges for employers. 

Recent heatwaves across parts of the UK have served as a timely reminder that health and safety doesn’t stop when the rain does. In fact, periods of high temperatures and intense UV exposure are becoming more frequent, creating new risks that businesses need to be prepared for.

And while extreme heat often grabs the headlines, the real conversation should be about how workplaces adapt to changing conditions over the long term. 

Heat is more than just an inconvenience 

Hot weather can have a significant impact on employee wellbeing, productivity and safety. 

One of the most common risks is heat stress, which occurs when the body struggles to regulate its temperature. Symptoms can include headaches, dizziness, fatigue and confusion, and in more serious cases can progress to heat exhaustion or heatstroke. 

Dehydration is another concern. Even mild dehydration can affect concentration and physical performance, increasing the risk of errors, accidents and near misses. 

Combined with fatigue and reduced focus, hot conditions can quickly create a workplace environment where mistakes become more likely. 

Some employees may be particularly vulnerable, including pregnant workers, older colleagues and those with underlying health conditions. 

It’s not just about heat — it’s about exposure 

For organisations with employees working outdoors, the conversation goes beyond temperature. 

Periods of prolonged sun exposure are becoming increasingly common, and with them comes a risk that is often overlooked: UV radiation. 

UV radiation is a recognised carcinogen and one of the leading causes of skin cancer, making outdoor workers one of the groups most at risk. Construction teams, engineers, utilities workers, landscapers and anyone regularly working outside may be exposed for hours at a time throughout the summer months. 

This means employers should think beyond simply providing sunscreen. UV exposure should be treated in the same way as any other workplace hazard—identified, assessed and managed appropriately. 

What are employers responsible for? 

Many people assume there is a maximum legal temperature for working in the UK, but that’s not actually the case. 

However, employers still have a clear duty to assess workplace risks and take reasonable steps to protect employees’ health, safety and wellbeing. 

Barry Davies, Contractors Combined expert explains:

“As temperatures continue to rise and heatwaves become more common, the Construction Industry faces a challenge of providing a safe working environment for site workers.  Whilst there is no current legislation in place that specifically deals with operating in extreme heat, Employers will have to consider general practices undertaken by their employees and sub-contractors in these conditions, in the same way as when working at height or using welding for example.

The advice that your Health and Safety consultant/appointed person can give on a bespoke basis is invaluable – alongside issuing PPE and regular checks on staff welfare.

Training for managers and site supervisors on safe working practices will become more common place and the legislation may incorporate working in extreme heat in the same way as it does for very low temperatures.”

In practice, that means considering how both heat and UV exposure could affect workers and implementing controls that are proportionate to the risks involved. 

Practical steps employers can take 

The good news is that many of these risks can be effectively managed with some forward planning. 

Consider whether you can: 

✔ Adjust working hours to avoid the hottest parts of the day and periods of peak UV exposure. 

✔ Build regular breaks, recovery time and access to shaded or cooler areas into the working day. 

✔ Ensure employees have easy access to cool drinking water and encourage regular hydration. 

✔ Improve ventilation through fans, open windows or air conditioning where possible. 

✔ Rotate tasks to limit prolonged exposure to heat and direct sunlight. 

✔ Treat UV exposure like any other workplace hazard by including it within risk assessments and control measures. 

✔ Make sun protection part of standard PPE requirements where appropriate, including suitable clothing, hats and sunscreen. 

Awareness matters too 

Providing the right equipment is only part of the solution. Employees should also understand the signs of heat-related illness and know what action to take if they or a colleague begin to feel unwell. 

Regular communication, training and toolbox talks can help ensure everyone understands the risks and how to stay safe during periods of hot weather. 

Staying ahead of the risk 

Hot weather shouldn’t catch businesses off guard. The organisations that plan ahead will be better placed to protect their people, maintain productivity and manage risk effectively. 

The weather is changing. Has your health and safety strategy changed with it? 

For more information on managing heat-related risks and ensuring employees have the right PPE and protection in place, take a look at the latest guidance here Personal protective equipment and heat: risk of heat stress – GOV.UK