Heat-Health Alert Warning Issued for This Week

A HEAT-HEALTH alert warning has been issued for all regions of England this week. The alert will be in place from midday Tuesday 9 August to 6pm on Saturday 13 August.

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) says temperatures are not forecast to reach the record-breaking levels of the most recent heatwave but are expected to rise throughout the week potentially reaching mid-30°C on Friday and Saturday in the South East, London, the South West, and the East and West Midlands.

Amber Extreme Heat Warning

An Amber Extreme heat warning has also been issued for the southern half of England as well as parts of eastern Wales from Thursday through until the end of Sunday with possible impacts to health, transport and infrastructure.

Outdoor workers, including roofers, are being warned again of the dangers of sun exposure and are being advised to take special precaution when working outside for long periods of time.

Tony Wardle, Met Office Deputy Chief Meteorologist, said: “Heatwave criteria looks likely to be met for large areas of the UK later this week, with the hottest areas expected in central and southern England and Wales on Friday and Saturday. Temperatures could peak at 35⁰C, or even an isolated 36⁰C on Saturday.

“Elsewhere will see temperatures widely into the high 20s and low 30s Celsius later this week as temperatures build day-on-day through the week due to an area of high pressure extending over much of the UK.”

Working Outdoors in the Heat

Roofing employers can protect their employees in the heat by:

• Allowing operatives to take frequent breaks and provide a supply of drinking water.
• Reviewing working times so that outside work is done in the morning and afternoon, rather than between 11am-3pm when temperatures are highest.
• Providing canopies or covering over open areas on construction sites to provide shaded areas for working and taking breaks.
• Ensuring that outdoor workers are supplied with sunscreen and are given advice on the need to protect themselves from the heat and sun.
• Providing lightweight brimmed hats for all outdoor workers and making sure that any protective clothing is lightweight, long-sleeved and comfortable, but dense enough to prevent UV rays from getting through.
• Providing information on avoiding exposure to harmful UV radiation and the risks of skin cancer entailed, ensuring that advice is available in other languages when required.

>> Read more on heat alerts in the news