Ben Hurst

Health authorities warn that electric fans can worsen heat stress when indoor temperatures exceed 35°C because circulating hot air causes the body to absorb heat instead of cooling down. The UK Health Security Agency has issued amber heat health alerts as parts of the country reach record high temperatures, and experts advise limiting strenuous activity, keeping homes shaded, and using evaporative cooling methods like wetting clothing. Scientific guidance explains that fan effectiveness depends on air temperature and the body's ability to sweat, which declines with age.

Proposals to introduce an upper workplace temperature limit are being reviewed as the UK faces another period of extreme heat. MPs have raised concerns about health risks for indoor and outdoor workers, prompting confirmation that the Health and Safety Executive will launch a consultation on updating the workplace safety code. The regulator emphasises employers’ legal obligations to assess heat risks and adopt practical mitigation measures, warning that hotter summers could significantly affect worker health and productivity.