To say the weather is getting hot is an understatement!
Ireland will enjoy temperatures as has as 30 degrees this week which is expected to last right through to the end of next week - but what does this mean for the workplace??
Basically were sitting in the office and sweating like a loaf of bread in the oven! But now the Health and Safety Authority has issued a statement about the maximum temperature allowed in the workplace.
So listen up!
According to them, there is no maximum allowable temperature existing in current legislation, but they have warned employees and employers to apply "common sense."
They said that places of work should consult their staff during this time to "ensure an optimum outcome."
They said:
"Our advice is to apply common sense in any situation. For example, if a formal dress code is the norm it might be appropriate to relax it during the high temperatures.
"Plenty of fresh water should be provided and employers might consider placing fans in appropriate locations."
The HSA added that outdoor workers needed to take extra precautions as their situation could be more serious.
"Appropriate clothing should be worn to protect from UV rays and sunscreen should be regularly applied.
"Again, plenty of water should be available. Workers should never remove safety gear such as hard hats or steel toed footwear as a means of coping with high temperatures."
