Quick answer: To help protect your business during hot weather, focus on four key areas: keeping staff safe and comfortable, protecting temperature-sensitive stock and equipment, adjusting working arrangements, and monitoring official weather warnings.
Business insurance – including employers’ liability and business interruption cover – may also help if things go wrong.
UK heatwaves used to feel like a rare treat. But increasingly, they’re becoming a real business risk. Periods of extreme heat are becoming more frequent and intense as the climate changes – and small business owners need to prepare before things really heat up.
Hot weather affects businesses in ways that are easy to underestimate. Unlike a burst pipe or a flood, the impact tends to build gradually: staff become fatigued or your equipment starts to struggle. For tradespeople and construction firms, the risks run deeper still – with heat exhaustion and reduced concentration creating real safety hazards on site.
The good news is that most of the damage can be prevented. This guide covers the practical steps you can take to keep your business running safely when temperatures soar. Plus, insurance expert Greg Caswell-Smith from Simply Business shares the cover that could help your business.
What are the biggest risks hot weather poses to small businesses?
Hot weather can affect your staff, your premises, and your day-to-day operations all at once. Some of the most common problems small business owners face during a heatwave include:
- staff getting ill, tired, and less productive
- a higher risk of fire
- machinery and computers overheating
- vans, cars, and other vehicles breaking down
- delays and disruptions to your supply chain
Whether you’re a retailer with refrigerated stock, a landscaping firm, or a creative agency working remotely, a little forward planning goes a long way.
How can you keep staff safe during hot weather?
What are your legal responsibilities as an employer in the heat?
There’s no legal maximum workplace temperature in the UK. But under health and safety law, employers have a duty of care to protect the health, safety, and welfare of their staff. And the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) treats excessive heat as a workplace hazard like any other risk.
According to Acas (the Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service), employers should carry out a thermal comfort risk assessment if staff are uncomfortable, and take practical steps to reduce risk. That might mean improving ventilation, providing fans or portable air-cooling units, and offering more frequent breaks.
5 practical steps you could take to help protect your staff
Start with the basics:
- Provide access to drinking water – employers are legally required to supply suitable drinking water in the workplace. Encourage staff to drink regularly throughout the day – not just when they feel thirsty – and consider allowing extra breaks for cold drinks.
- Keep things cool – switch on fans and air conditioning and use blinds or curtains to block direct sunlight, particularly in rooms that heat up quickly during the day.
- Think about dress codes – you’re not legally required to relax your uniform policy during hot weather, but Acas advises that it’s sensible to consider doing so – for example, allowing staff to ditch suits and ties.
- Be flexible about how people get to work – extreme heat can disrupt public transport. If staff struggle to get in on time, a bit of flexibility goes a long way.
- Pay extra attention to vulnerable workers – some employees – those with certain health conditions or disabilities – may be more severely affected by the heat. Speak to them directly, assess the risks, and make reasonable adjustments where needed.
If something does go wrong and a member of staff suffers a heat-related injury or illness at work, employers’ liability insurance may provide cover if they make a claim against your business.
Should you adjust your working arrangements during a heatwave?
Flexible working isn’t just a staff benefit during hot weather – it’s a practical tool for keeping your business running safely. For businesses where remote working isn’t possible, consider:
- shifting start times earlier to avoid the hottest part of the day
- rescheduling non-urgent outdoor work to cooler hours or days
- reviewing processes that rely on external suppliers, given that supply chains can slow down in extreme heat
Small adjustments (even temporary ones) can make a significant difference for your staff when temperatures stay high for several days.
Why is it important to monitor official weather warnings?
Keep an eye on warnings from the Met Office and the UK Health Security Agency. Being prepared for a heatwave can save you from scrambling to react when your staff are already uncomfortable and your equipment is already under strain.
You can even sign up for Met Office weather alerts for your area so you’re not caught off guard.
Can insurance help if your business is affected by hot weather?
Insurance can’t prevent a heatwave from disrupting your business, but the right cover can make recovery a lot easier if something does go wrong. Greg Caswell-Smith, Insurance Product Manager at Simply Business, shares the covers that could help.
Depending on your policy and the circumstances, covers that may be relevant include:
- employers’ liability insurance – if a member of staff suffers a heat-related illness or injury and makes a claim against your business
- commercial building insurance – if your premises is damaged
- business interruption insurance – if a claimable event forces you to stop trading, this will cover lost income
It’s worth reviewing your policies regularly to check they reflect how your business currently operates – including any seasonal risks. If you’re not sure what you’re covered for, speaking to one of our experts before a heatwave is a lot less stressful than doing it after one.
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Getting ready before the heat arrives
Hot weather rarely announces itself with enough warning to fix problems on the spot. So here’s a quick checklist to run through before temperatures rise:
- Test your fans, air conditioning, and ventilation systems
- Check that refrigeration and cooling equipment is working properly
- Review your stock storage arrangements for anything temperature-sensitive
- Talk to staff about hydration, dress codes, and flexible working options
- Sign up for Met Office weather alerts
- Review your business insurance to check you have the right cover in place
A few hours of preparation can save a lot of disruption – and potentially a lot of money.
Working in hot weather FAQs
Is there a maximum legal workplace temperature in the UK?
No, there’s currently no legal maximum workplace temperature in UK law. However, employers must provide a reasonable workplace temperature and assess any risks to staff health and safety caused by excessive heat. The HSE treats heat as a workplace hazard and expects employers to take practical steps to manage it.
Can employees refuse to work if it’s too hot?
Not automatically, but employees can raise concerns if they believe conditions are unsafe – and employers must take those concerns seriously. If excessive heat creates a genuine health and safety risk, employers should consider what adjustments are needed.
What types of business insurance are most relevant during a heatwave?
The most relevant types of cover are typically employers’ liability insurance (if a staff member suffers a heat-related injury or illness), commercial property insurance (for damage to premises or equipment), business interruption insurance (if a covered event disrupts your operations), and equipment breakdown cover. What’s actually covered will depend on your specific policy, so it’s worth checking before a problem arises.
How can I protect perishable stock during a heatwave?
Check that your refrigeration and cooling systems are working properly before temperatures rise. Identify any stock that’s temperature-sensitive and make sure it’s stored correctly. Have a backup plan in case your cooling systems fail, and check whether your commercial property or stock insurance covers spoilage caused by equipment failure.
More weather guides to help protect your business
- How to protect your business premises from storms
- 10 ways to prepare your property for winter
- How to prevent frozen pipes – a guide for landlords
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