Soaring summer temperatures mean employers have to deal with low productivity, additional stress and increased absenteeism.
And as the weather gets hotter, indoor workers can suffer from poor concentration and be irritable with their colleagues, according to the Health & Safety Executive.
Employers must ensure the temperature inside buildings provides “reasonable comfort” or they will be breaking the law.
The HSE has produced practical advice on keeping cool in its guide Thermal Comfort in the Workplace, Guidance for Employers.
It says employers must:
• Provide air conditioning or fans
• Shade windows with blinds
• Site workstations away from direct sunlight
• Provide cold water dispensers
• Allow breaks for employees to get cold drinks or to cool
The guide is available from The HSE at www.hsebooks.co.uk or on 01787 881165.
