Help us to improve the website - give your feedback.

Heat stress in the workplace

A brief guide

Date of publication:
2013
Series code:
INDG451

Download a free copy - INDG451 (PDF) [3]

This leaflet is for employers whose workers may be at risk of heat stress in the workplace.

In many jobs heat stress is an issue all year round (eg in bakeries, compressed air tunnels, foundries and smelting operations) while other workers may only be at risk during hot summer months.

This guidance explains the effects of heat stress on the body and gives examples of situations where it may occur. It includes advice on what to look out for when carrying out your risk assessment and lists control measures that may reduce or remove the risks.

It does not address issues of thermal comfort[4] in the workplace.

Link URLs in this page

  1. Publicationshttps://www.hse.gov.uk/PUBNS/index.htm
  2. HSE Bookshttps://books.hse.gov.uk/
  3. Download a free copy - INDG451https://www.hse.gov.uk/PUBNS/indg451.pdf
  4. thermal comforthttps://www.hse.gov.uk/temperature/thermal/index.htm
  5. Workplace health, safety and welfare ACOP https://www.hse.gov.uk/PUBNS/books/l24.htm
  6. A guide to the Work in Compressed Air Regulationshttps://www.hse.gov.uk/PUBNS/books/l96.htm
  7. Temperaturehttps://www.hse.gov.uk/temperature/index.htm
  8. Heat stresshttps://www.hse.gov.uk/temperature/employer/heat-stress.htm
  9. Health surveillancehttps://www.hse.gov.uk/health-surveillance/index.htm
  10. HSE Books +44 (0)333 202 5070https://books.hse.gov.uk/
  11. Translated leafletshttps://www.hse.gov.uk/languages/index.htm
  12. Legislationhttps://www.hse.gov.uk/legislation/index.htm
  13. Statisticshttps://www.hse.gov.uk/statistics/index.htm
  14. Science and Researchhttps://www.hse.gov.uk/research/index.htm
  15. Subscribe - news and updateshttps://www.hse.gov.uk/news/subscribe/index.htm

Is this page useful?

Updated: 2023-04-24