Heatwave threatens UK workforce, economy
LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM — Southern Europe recently endured soaring temperatures, reaching 46C (115F), causing numerous heat-related ailments and deaths. With the UK experiencing similar temperature spikes, concerns about workforce protection are escalating.
World Bank economist Patrick Behrer said that heat negatively affects the workplace, including reduced productivity, shortened work hours, and safety risks.
Notably, productivity in outdoor sectors like construction and agriculture dropped by nine per cent as the temperature rose.
Financially, the heatwave’s impact is significant. Bob Ward from the London Climate Change Partnership reveals that overheated offices cost London’s economy over £500 million (US$638 million) annually. And it’s not just traditionally vulnerable who suffer; even robust outdoor workers face risks when temperatures soar into the 40s.
The absence of a maximum workplace temperature in the UK is increasingly seen as a shortfall. The GMB union advocates for such a limit, emphasizing employers’ role in maintaining suitable environments.
Greenpeace suggests the adoption of heat pumps, effective for warming and cooling. Ward also stresses adapting building designs, with ideas like external shutters or heat-reflective paints.
Prioritizing worker safety means endorsing regular cool-down intervals and ensuring cold drink availability. As rising temperatures become a recurrent issue, immediate collaborative action is essential for safeguarding health and the economy.
