A national emergency has been declared as the UK Met Office has issued its first ever red warning for extreme temperatures for 18th and 19th July.
At the time of writing, this warning covers a large area of England from London through the Midlands to Manchester and York.
The Met Office red warning means:
- population-wide adverse health effects, not limited to those most vulnerable to extreme heat, leading to serious illness or danger to life;
- substantial changes in working practices and daily routines will be needed;
- a high risk of failure of heat-sensitive equipment, potentially leading to localised loss of power and other essential services;
- more people visiting coastal areas, lakes and rivers, leading to an increased risk of water safety incidents;
- delays on roads and road closures, along with delays and cancellations to rail and air travel.
The Met Office has urged people to take the warning as seriously as a red or amber warning for snow or wind. The same is true for employers.
The NASUWT has existing guidance on excessive temperatures which can be found on our Excessive Working Temperatures page.
In addition, as this extreme heat constitutes a serious hazard, all schools in a warning zone must carry out a thorough risk assessment and take whatever reasonably practicable measures are indicated to control the risk.
This could include partial closure so that only rooms that are shaded (such as north facing) are used. It may be necessary to order a full closure. The risk assessment must also cover any outdoor activities and risks associated with travelling to and from school.
The extreme heat will impact on some individuals more than others, such as the very young or old and those with certain health conditions or disabilities. Any staff falling into these categories should have an individual risk assessment and additional reasonable adjustments may be needed, such as working from home. It must be remembered, however, that the dangers are not limited to those most vulnerable to extreme heat, leading to serious illness or danger to life in otherwise healthy individuals as well.
This guidance has been shared with employers and if members have concerns around their employers’ response, this should be raised with management in the first instance and you should contact the NASUWT if issues persist.
During periods of high temperature, the following are steps schools should take:
- open windows as early as possible in the morning before children and staff arrive, or preferably overnight to allow stored heat to escape from the building – it is important to check insurance conditions and the need for security if windows are to be left open overnight
- almost close windows when the outdoor air becomes warmer than the air indoors – this should help keep the heat out while allowing adequate ventilation
- use outdoor sun awnings if available, or close indoor blinds or curtains, but do not let them block window ventilation
- keep the use of electric lighting to a minimum
- switch off all electrical equipment, including computers, monitors and printers when not in use – equipment should not be left in ‘standby mode’ as this generates heat
- if possible, use those classrooms or other spaces which are less likely to overheat, and adjust the layout of teaching spaces to avoid direct sunlight on children
- oscillating mechanical fans can be used to increase air movement if temperatures are below 35°C – at temperatures above 35°C fans may not prevent heat-related illness and may worsen dehydration
- if necessary, consider rearranging school start, finish, and play times to avoid teaching during very hot conditions
- ensure you eat normally and drink plenty of cool water
Useful Information: Execessive Temperatures Guidance
NASUWT Coventry 