HEALTH AND SAFETY

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has reminded employers that they have a legal duty to protect workers from extreme heat, following a heat health alert issued by the UK Health Security Agency.

The alert is in place for parts of the country until Thursday, 25 June 2026.

HSE says employers should act now to make sure workers are protected during hot weather. While there is no legal maximum workplace temperature, heat is classed as a hazard and should be treated like any other workplace risk.

For pest management businesses, this is especially important for technicians working outdoors, in roof voids, confined spaces, commercial kitchens, waste areas, vehicles and other high-temperature environments.

Heat is a workplace hazard

Employers must assess risks to their workers' health and safety by law. That includes risks from extreme weather such as heatwaves.

HSE says the risks apply to people working both indoors and outdoors. Employers should speak with workers about the conditions they work in and consider practical changes to reduce the risk of heat stress.

John Rowe, Deputy Director for Technical Support and Engagement for HSE, said:

“Last summer should have been a wake-up call for all employers. If we continue to experience hotter summers this could have a big impact on the workforce of this country, affecting everything from health of workers to productivity on construction sites.

“The risks to workers from extreme heat must be properly assessed. Practical steps can include providing adequate ventilation and shade and allowing enough breaks for workers to cool down. We provide detailed guidance on our website hse.gov.uk.

“We know all employers are under pressure and we don’t want to add to their burden but it’s vital they think hard now about simple and cheap measures they can put in place to support workers should we see extreme heat again this summer.”

Practical steps for pest management businesses

HSE says employers should consider simple measures such as:

• Providing free access to drinking water

• Offering flexible working patterns so staff can work at cooler times of the day

• Providing shade and adequate ventilation

• Making sure workplace windows can be opened or closed to prevent hot air building up

• Using blinds or reflective film on windows

• Placing workstations away from direct sunlight and heat sources

• Relaxing dress codes where possible

• Providing weather-appropriate personal protective equipment

• Encouraging workers to remove PPE when resting, ideally in shaded areas

• Sharing information about the symptoms of heat stress and what to do if someone is affected.

Pest management employers may also want to review lone-working arrangements, vehicle temperatures, job scheduling, roof-void work, washroom access, emergency contact procedures, and arrangements for breaks during periods of extreme heat.

BPCA advice to members

Natalie Bungay, BPCA Head of Membership and Technical, said:

“Pest professionals are used to working in challenging environments, but extreme heat brings extra risks that need to be properly managed.

“Technicians may be moving between domestic properties, commercial kitchens, waste sites, loft spaces, roof areas and vehicles in the same day. Those environments can get hot very quickly, especially when PPE is needed.

“Members should review their risk assessments, speak to their teams and make sensible adjustments where needed. That might mean changing job times, building in extra breaks, carrying more water, checking in on lone workers or postponing higher-risk work where it’s safe and practical to do so.

“This isn’t about stopping work every time the sun comes out. It’s about planning properly so technicians can do their job safely, legally and professionally.”

Watch for signs of heat stress

Heat stress happens when the body cannot cool itself down properly.

Symptoms can include tiredness, dizziness, headache, nausea, excessive sweating, muscle cramps, fast breathing, a fast pulse or confusion.

Workers should raise concerns with their employer if the temperature is not comfortable or if they feel unwell.

Employers should make sure staff know what to do if they, a colleague or a customer show signs of heat-related illness.

Further guidance

HSE has guidance for employers on workplace temperature and a temperature checklist.

Members should review their own risk assessments and working procedures during periods of extreme heat, particularly where technicians are working alone, outdoors, at height, in confined areas or wearing PPE for extended periods.

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