Integritas Property Group Comments on Working in Extreme Heat - FT

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Construction sites are also already restricted from changing shift patterns significantly to cooler times of day due to noise regulations.

Perry Mahaffy, a quantity surveyor at property developer Integritas Property Group, which has construction sites around Liverpool and the north-west, said bricklayers this week were doing shorter shifts to avoid the hottest time of the day.

“It’s not something we agree with, and if the government chose to go in this direction, they’d have to change other regulatory environments, like what time you can start and finish work, what time trucks could transport materials around the country. It’s not practicable,” said Rico Wojtulewicz, director of policy and market insight at trade group National Federation of Builders.

Other sectors also said they would not be in favour of a maximum working temperature.

“It’s much more appropriate to look after staff with hydration breaks and fresh air,” said Andrew Goodacre, chief executive of the British Independent Retailers Association, adding it was “much too soon to legislate”.

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