Ok, I know there isn't one as such but I've been asked to prepare a procedure to provide extra breaks and cold drinks to staff in hot weather. As the company will be paying for the soft drinks, I'm looking for some guidance on what is considered hot. We already have an opposite procedure for cold weather but in that case the the minimums are specified. I have read somewhere that upper temps have been unoffically suggested but can't think where or what they were. It's for small warehouses with trade counters with some office work. I am aware that I should be trying to control the temperature but that is notoriously difficult in 1 warehouse let alone 150 in the retail sector. Any help on at what temperature to implement the procedure would be very much appreciated.

By the way forgot to mention you will need to set a temperature at which you will make this available, but how do you know when that is? It is quite simple really, just make the water available and let those who need it decide.

Hi Safety Smurf I am in the warehousing and distribution sector so am suffering similar issues with the current heat. I remember completing a HSE survey last year looking at max working temps but the figures that were being looking at were around 30 degrees C, once the general temperature is above 24/25 degrees people are going to start feeling it and complaining, so I do not think any regulation change is going to help much. We offer staff cold water to keep them hydrated but use large floor standing fans, this creates air flow and although does not reduce the actual temperature does give some relief. They are available form a large well known DIY store that ends in Q. Good luck, if it helps tell them that its due to be raining by Friday. Mike

It is not just temperature but also relative humidity that is important when considering environmental effects on the human body. Relative humidity will affect how well the body can lose excessive heat through sweating. According to Occupational Health (Harrington, Gill, Aw and Gardiner, fourth edition) "...sweating ceases to be an effective means of heat loss at ambient temperature above 37 deg. C, at a relative humidity of 80% or greater". I had personal experience of this many years ago when working in Libya. On the coast, where relative humidity was very high, you could feel uncomfortable at temperatures 10 dec or more less than in the interior of the desert, where the relative humidity was much lower. Chris

Thanks Wainwrightbagger, You've got mail!

Hi all Some advice on a similar scanario would be most welcome. Scenario: 1st floor modern office (less than 5 years old). Full height glazing to front (south facing), no other windows. Top half of windows open outwards (hinged from top) by about 10 - 15 degrees. Windows also have vertical blinds (usually closed due to sunlight/ glare issues). Temperature on visit today is currently +25 degrees. Minimal air movement (although the windows were open, as the blinds were closed, this stopped most of the incoming airflow...). There are 4 people in this office, with 2 pedestal fans. Air con was recommended last year by my predecessor, but this was not taken up for some reason. If aircon is not forthcoming this time round, are there any alternative arrangements that may be able to be put in place? There is a rest room area on the ground floor, that is markedly cooler, so additional rest breaks is a possibility, there is also a small kitchenette on the ground floor, and a water cooler in the main office on the first floor. Any advice most welcome.

Are the blinds simple material ones and it is this that stops the air flow? If so, why not replace them with slatted blinds. These can be adjusted to prevent sun but allow air to circulate. Not a total solution, obviously, but one measure that might be of some help. Chris

Air con for 4 people? Doesn't sound cost effective to me. And as I keep saying many people don't actually like air con and so would complaing about the air con. Personally I don't think 25+ deg is excessive heat. It's not pleasant but hey it's uncomnfortable in most places during the heat. It's not like the 50+deg quoted by jesu. Do what you can but don't go overboard. Fans perhaps, blinds if possible but then you have the light problem (artirficial light creates it's own problems). 25+ isn't gonna kill them. I bet that's what they crank the heating up to in winter anyway!