The Sun’s Out – Time To Get The Shorts Out?

With the sun making a brief appearance over the past few days, the familiar health and safety advisories have returned, highlighting the risks of prolonged sun exposure, including skin cancer and heat-related illnesses.

Heat-related risks to workers

Whether indoors or outdoors, working in excessive heat can cause a number of medical issues, including:

Heat rash – a skin irritation caused by sweat that does not evaporate from the skin.
Heat cramps – caused by the loss of body salts and fluid during sweating.
Heat exhaustion – the body’s response to excessive loss of water and salt as a result of heavy sweating. Signs include headache, nausea, dizziness, weakness, irritability, thirst and heavy sweating.
Heat stroke – when the body is no longer able to regulate its core temperature. Sweating stops, and the body can no longer rid itself of excess heat. Signs include confusion, loss of consciousness, and seizures.
UV exposure – ultraviolet rays from the sun can cause sunburn, blistering, sunstroke, and skin damage. It may even lead to skin cancer, one of the most common forms of cancer.

Workplace temperature: what’s reasonable?

In the UK, there is no set maximum temperature for a workplace. However, regulations state that: “During working hours, the temperature in all workplaces inside buildings shall be reasonable.” What is considered reasonable depends on the type of workplace – for example, an office and a foundry will have different standards.

Steps employers can take

As an employer, you can help reduce heat stress in the workplace by taking the following actions:

Switch on air conditioning if available.
Use blinds or curtains to block out sunlight.
Provide fans (e.g. desk, pedestal or ceiling mounted).
Open windows to improve air circulation.
Position workstations away from direct sunlight or sources of heat.
Reschedule work to cooler parts of the day if possible.

Hydration and outdoor work

It’s important to drink plenty of water. Employers must provide suitable drinking water in the workplace. Staff should be encouraged to drink water regularly throughout the day, not just when thirsty, as thirst can indicate dehydration.

If working outside, ensure employees wear appropriate clothing and use sunscreen to protect against sunburn. Employers should also consider providing:

More frequent rest breaks.
Shaded areas for breaks or work activities.

Can staff wear shorts at work?

The short answer: it depends.

There are no specific rules banning the wearing of shorts, but safety must always come first. In environments where there are hazards such as hot surfaces, sharp objects or harmful chemicals, covering the body may be essential, and shorts may not be appropriate.

In lower-risk settings, shorts may be acceptable. However, dress codes also apply. In more formal workplaces, shorts may not fit the expected appearance. In casual or non-customer-facing roles, they may be fine. Each organisation should assess the context and risks.

Where to find more advice

You can get further information about sun and heat safety from:

If you have any questions or would like support with managing issues at your workplace, please speak to your usual contact or get in touch using the form below.