Staff must be allowed to take regular breaks and stay hydrated as temperatures rise, the RCN has said.
While there’s no upper legal limit on workplace temperatures, The Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992 state that the temperature inside buildings should be reasonable during work hours.
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‘While it may not be hitting 40 degrees this week, employers must do all they can to protect staff and patient health and wellbeing as the temperature rises,’ said RCN Head of Health, Safety and Wellbeing Leona Cameron
‘Nursing staff work through all weather to care for patients, many of whom are vulnerable to the heat.’
The RCN also advises that special consideration should be given to staff with increased vulnerabilities such as those who are pregnant, taking certain medications, or anyone living with a health condition which may be exacerbated by hot weather. In these situations, individual risk assessments should be considered, and reasonable adjustments made. These could include additional breaks and changes to shift patterns.
‘It’s important to stay hydrated and as cool as possible – no matter what care setting nursing staff are working in. Community and district nurses who might be on the move with limited access to water, as well as staff working in PPE that can lead to overheating, should take extra precautions to stay hydrated,’ added Ms Cameron.
‘If nurses do not have the time and resources to take care of themselves, the care they can give patients will be impacted. Well ventilated environments, encouraging people to drink water and time to rest and rehydrate are essential in every care setting.’