Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment he has made of the adequacy of Health and Safety Executive guidance on workplace uniform requirements during periods of extreme heat.

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) provides guidance to employers on measures they can take to protect workers during periods of extreme heat. This includes considering changes to working arrangements and relaxing formal dress codes, including staff uniform policies, where appropriate. However, employers must ensure that any personal protective equipment required for the work activity continues to be worn.

HSE will be launching a public consultation on proposed changes to the Approved Code of Practice for the Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992, including those relating to workplace temperature and there will be an opportunity to respond in due course.