ESA publishes heatwave guidance for waste sector

The publication comes as the UK experiences increasingly frequent and intense temperatures, with this year recording the hottest June on record. Further periods of exceptionally high temperatures have been hit this week, reinforcing the need for employers to manage the risks associated with working in the heat.

Produced for organisations and individuals responsible for planning and managing employee health, safety and wellbeing across the waste and recycling sector, the guidance provides a practical framework for assessing and mitigating heat-related risks across a broad range of operational activities.

Executive Director of the ESA, Jacob Hayler, said: “Recycling and waste operatives provide a vital frontline service upon which we all rely – often performing very demanding physical jobs in all weather conditions for prolonged periods of time, while working to ensure that the nation’s waste doesn’t pile up.

“Although workers are still more likely to experience cold or wet conditions in the UK over the course of the year, summer heatwaves are becoming commonplace and present new challenges to operatives.

“In consultation with our members, we have produced practical guidance for employers across the sector to help identify, assess and mitigate risks associated with hotter weather.

“We hope that this provides a useful resource and contributes towards keeping workers safe across the industry.”

Guidance for waste sector

Unlike some countries, the UK has no legal maximum working temperature, meaning responsibility for assessing and managing heat-related risks rests with employers.

The ESA says its new guidance is intended to supplement, rather than replace, existing health and safety management systems, task and site risk assessments, safe systems of work and local emergency plans.

Central to the document is a staged heat-index framework, providing supervisors with example trigger points to help determine when additional control measures should be introduced as temperatures rise.

Alongside the heat-index approach, the guidance recommends a range of practical operational measures, including:

• Rescheduling physically demanding work to cooler parts of the day
• Reducing unnecessary exposure by combining site inspections and limiting repeat journeys
• Reviewing staffing and welfare arrangements
• Providing additional welfare breaks for physical demanding activities

The guidance also encourages employers to brief teams on the effects that heat stress, fatigue and dehydration can have on concentration, situational awareness and driving performance.

Fire risks in the hotter weather

With the increased fire risk associated with hotter weather, the guidance includes advice for operators managing permitted waste sites where materials are stored or processed.

It recommends reviewing fire prevention measures and taking additional steps to minimise ignition risks during periods of extreme heat.

To support implementation, the document includes guidance on carrying out hot weather risk assessments covering thermal stress, UV and solar radiation exposure, fire risk, air quality considerations for workers with respiratory or allergic conditions, and operational planning.

A practical preparation checklist is also provided to help organisations identify actions, assign responsibilities and prepare for future periods of hot weather.

These very issues will be at the heart of discussion at the Fire and Health & Safety Conference, taking place on 22 October 2026 – register your interest here.