Working from home during the heatwave

WITH Wales in the midst of a heatwave many people are battling the high temperatures as they continue to work from home.

For some, working from home has been a way of improving their worklife balance, although it has also left many feeling isolated.

Either way, with the mercury heading above 30C (86F) the thought of air-conditioned office space might seem very enticing right now. People’s homes are unlikely to be as well designed in terms of keeping temperatures down and that can lead to some pretty sweaty working conditions.

But, what if the temperatures reach such heights that it simply feels too hot to work? The issue is that there is no “upper limit” to what temperatures can be.

The Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992 lays down particular requirements for most aspects of the working environment. This states that: “During working hours, the temperature in all workplaces inside buildings shall be reasonable.”

There is a lower limit for temperatures which is defined as normally at least 16C (61F), unless the work involves severe physical tasks in which case the temperature should be at least 13C (55F). However, there is nothing to define what an upper limit temperature is.

So what can I do if I feel my home is too hot to work in?

The Health and Safety Executive says that, by law, employers are responsible for the health and safety of all employees, including those working from home, so you should speak to your boss.

Speaking to the Independent, Tom Neil, Acas senior adviser, said: “With increasing weather temperatures many workers will find themselves working in hot conditions. In the UK there is no maximum temperature that a workplace is allowed to be, rather, advice from the HSE states ‘during working hours, the temperature in all workplaces inside buildings shall be reasonable’.

“During these exceptional times, with so many people working from home, many will look to how they can keep themselves cool, purchasing a fan for example. As with other workplace necessities, the employer and employee might agree that the employer should supply them or the employee might already have everything necessary, or may need certain extras that the employer may be able to provide.”

A spokesman for the Trades Union Congress told the Western Mail: “It’s really important that people don’t melt in the sweltering heat and employers show understanding for staff.

“It is a really important thing that staff speak to their employer, both show common sense and employers show understanding.”