Hello everyone, I have been asked to talk on a topic at a meeting, topic is up to me, and seen as the weather is as it is, i have decided hot weather working outdoors. I have the following sections; dehydration, heat stress, heat exhaustion, heat stroke, skin related health issues, sun screen, drinking water, PPE and dust supression.....is there anything else I'm forgetting in relation to these works??

You should implement time breaks systems

Try the 2012 DoH meaning the Departmnet of Health (not a quote from Homer the most famous H&S officer) heatwave plan for ideas: http://www.dh.gov.uk/pro...groups/dh_digitalassets/@dh/@en/documents/digitalasset/dh_134155.pdf

Doesn't want to play ball - I blame the sun!

Could be worth mentioning that people should not only use a high factor sun cream but should keep covered up as far as possible. Malignant Melanoma is responsible for 75% of skin cancer deaths and 16000 new cases are reported each year (Worldwide) its a concern with white caucasion ex-pats who work in hot areas as they are more at risk, but it can hit anyone and obviously outdoors workers are at higher risk.

Another thing I have just thought of, I know there is no max temperature in offices etc, but I have read that once you start going over 24 degrees it becomes harder to think / concentrate. This must also apply outside, so safe systems of work where there is reliance on peoples concentration could be less effective. Just a thought. Also excessive amounts of ice cream can make you fat.

I realise that Lawlee45239's original post concerned working outside, but back in the late 1980's I worked for the blue oval car company at its large East London site. Being a heavily unionised organisation, there were many local rules, one of which was "Heat Relief". Basically there were 5 thermometers located around the ground floor assembly shopfloor and if 3 or more of them read 80 degrees or more, that instigated "Heat Relief". This meant in addition to the normal meal break and 2 tea breaks, there were additional breaks, during which the company provided squash to drink. From memory, the Heat Relief breaks were every hour and lasted 10 minutes, unless it coincided with a scheduled break. The shop steward and production manager would conduct tours to take temperature readings during warm weather. Obviously the Heat Relief's had an impact on production output. Naturally there were stories of tricks played by both sides to try to implement or prevent Heat Relief's. There were stories of teams working as advance parties, interfering with the thermometers to push the temperatures above 80 degrees and there were the attempts of management to keep the temperature below 80 degrees. I remember on a number of occasions watching the my Superintendent emptying sacks of dry ice crystals along the main aisle adjacent to my production line in an attempt to reduce the air temperature and prevent the Heat Relief's. Not sure you would get away with this today ! A different issue with a similar background, my wife came home today after being informed that her department has been banned from wearing shorts or 3/4 trousers to work (admin office in large Health Trust hospital). I asked her on what grounds and she said that none were given. I have advised her to wear a short skirt. She has since been in contact with others and they are all planning to do the same.