# Heat stress management plans in labs
**URL:** https://uknsr.discourse.group/t/heat-stress-management-plans-in-labs/243
**Category:** Buildings, Space & Design
**Created:** [July 6, 2026, 9:48am UTC](https://uknsr.discourse.group/t/heat-stress-management-plans-in-labs/243 "2026-07-06T09:48:19Z")
**Posts on this page:** 3
**Page:** 1
### Author:  [@JemHammerton-UoBirmingham](https://uknsr.discourse.group/u/JemHammerton-UoBirmingham)
#### Post date: [July 6, 2026, 9:48am UTC](https://uknsr.discourse.group/t/heat-stress-management-plans-in-labs/243/1 "2026-07-06T09:48:19Z")
With the heatwave a few weeks ago, the incoming heatwave this week, and extreme temperatures looking more likely in the future, we’re having to look at how we manage heat stress risks within our laboratories during the summer when our labs don’t have any air conditioning or cooling capacity.
Has anyone already looked into implementing heat stress management plans into their labs? If so, how have you gone about creating these and implementing them?
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### Author:  [@MatthewFackrell-UoBristol](https://uknsr.discourse.group/u/MatthewFackrell-UoBristol)
#### Post date: [July 6, 2026, 1:00pm UTC](https://uknsr.discourse.group/t/heat-stress-management-plans-in-labs/243/2 "2026-07-06T13:00:03Z")
We’ve looked at this locally with Physics at University of Bristol (not fully implemented but in progress):
- Risks identified with a combination of lab-level engagement and based on floorplan/BMS (e.g., with equipment and spaces in the south-facing side of the building, particularly where there are glass facades - some of this has been mitigated with a previous upgrade of louvred external shades, but blinds and reflective film have been considered elsewhere where cooling equipment is also extracting/dumping heat into a space, and will have to work harder/may fail).
- Local external heat maps have been consulted, in our case from previous studies by the city council, publicly available.
- Risk Assessment format might be used for identifying risks and personnel who might be at higher risk during a heat wave.
- Work plans might be adapted to reflect changes in temperature - changing times of operation, particularly where work has to take place outside the building (technical).
- Provisions for recovery and cooler spaces might be identified and communicated - water fountains and provisions where water might fail, north-facing offices and communal spaces.
- Raise and work closely with local Health and Safety committees to communicate information to building users - our Campus Division have a good system of “toolbox talks” monthly communicating to users what to do in relation to set risks - communicate a risk and action plan to key building users (First Aiders or similar might be appropriate here)
- Encourage staff to take precautions ahead of predicted weather patterns (building mailing list email comms)
Would be very interested to compare approaches : )
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### Author:  [@MatthewFackrell-UoBristol](https://uknsr.discourse.group/u/MatthewFackrell-UoBristol)
#### Post date: [July 6, 2026, 1:07pm UTC](https://uknsr.discourse.group/t/heat-stress-management-plans-in-labs/243/3 "2026-07-06T13:07:40Z")
[Local Authority Risk and Adaptation Toolkit: Heat Edition - GOV.UK](https://www.gov.uk/guidance/local-authority-risk-and-adaptation-toolkit-heat-edition)
Asphalt and Concrete – Poon, L. (2018). Street Grids May Make Cities Hotter, CityLab.
[Heat summary - State of evidence - GOV.UK](https://www.gov.uk/guidance/heat-summary-state-of-evidence)
[Urban Heat Island Web Map | UKGBC](https://ukgbc.org/resources/urban-heat-island-web-map/)
[Temperature in the workplace: Heat stress - HSE](https://www.hse.gov.uk/temperature/employer/heat-stress.htm)
[Heat exhaustion and heatstroke - NHS](https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/heat-exhaustion-heatstroke/)
[Energy and environment](https://www.bristol.gov.uk/council/policies-plans-and-strategies/energy-and-environment) - Bristol City Council
[Keeping safe in hot weather](https://uob.sharepoint.com/sites/wellbeing/SitePages/Keeping-safe-in-hot-weather.aspx) - UoB Keeping safe in hot weather
[Toolbox Talk 186 - Working in the sun and heat](https://uob.sharepoint.com/sites/campus-division/Safety%20and%20Health/Forms/AllItems.aspx?id=%2Fsites%2Fcampus%2Ddivision%2FSafety%20and%20Health%2FToolbox%20Talks%2FToolbox%20Talk%20186%20%2D%20Working%20in%20the%20sun%20and%20heat%2Epdf&parent=%2Fsites%2Fcampus%2Ddivision%2FSafety%20and%20Health%2FToolbox%20Talks) – UoB Campus Division H&S _(may not be available externally but local H&S may have something similar)_
These don’t currently cover the impact of heat on samples, labs, or specific equipment, but they’ve helped shape the initial work