Severe Heat: Weather Warning Issued 11th August to 14th August 2026 (parts of the UK)

Severe Heat: Weather Warning Issued 11^th August to 14^th August 2026 (parts of the UK)

Further to previous LTBs recently issued covering Severe Heat Weather Warnings and Sun Safety messages, the purpose of this LTB is to confirm that a UKHSA (UK Health Security Agency) Heat Health Alert has been issued across parts of the UK.

A UKHSA Amber Alert will be in place for Yorkshire and the Humber, West Midlands, East Midlands, East of England, South East, London, South West and North West regions from 9am on Tuesday 11^th August to 9pm on Friday 14^th August. The North East will be under a UKHSA Yellow Alert during the same period.

It is also understood that this alert remains under review and may move to a Red Alert during the course of the week.

Accordingly, Branches, Safety Representatives and members are reminded of the details and guidance set out in LTB 182/26, which is attached.

Additionally, the following key messages are also being re-issued:

Vulnerable Workers

Risk assessments and duty adjustments are required at the point of an UKHSA Yellow Alert and/or MET Office Amber Warning for vulnerable workers with underlying health issues, and including individuals with disability, young person, new or expected mothers and those aged 60 and older.

Severe Weather Manager Assessment (SWMA)

All managers who have line manager responsibility should undertake a SWMA (Severe Weather Manager Assessment) in the case of UKHSA and/or MET Office Warnings and Alerts. This should include communicating to staff what they need to do during the period of severe heat, alongside keeping a record of what was briefed.

Personal Judgement – Dynamic Risk Assessment

Under UKHSA Amber and Red Alerts and MET Office Amber and Red Warnings for heat, individual members are able to apply Dynamic Risk Assessments and are empowered to make decisions such as suspending their delivery, collection or duty, to an address, part of their duty, or the whole duty where conditions deteriorate.

Equally, anyone feeling unwell during the course of the day should stop work and return to their unit/office/depot etc.

Stay Safe in the Sun Message

The Sun Safety core messages are: –

Cover Up – The most effective barrier.
Protect your head – Wear a wide brimmed hat.
Use sunscreen – Factor 30 or higher and reapply.
Seek shade – Take breaks in the shade.
Stay hydrated – Drink regularly and avoid caffeine.
Skin safe – Check for any changes.

Area Safety Reps/Workplace Safety Reps’ Actions

Ensure Severe Weather Manager Assessments (SWMAs) are undertaken against the UKHSA and/or MET Office Warnings and Alerts and that appropriate “fit for purpose” risk control actions are in place. These assessments should include CWU ASR/WSR involvement and consultation, which is part of the overall SWMA process.
Where units/locations are unable to agree a safe operational plan and complete the Severe Weather Risk Assessment, this should be escalated to the Regional Operations Directors (or functional equivalents) and CWU Divisional Reps or field official for resolution, and as detailed in the Joint Statement linked to LTB 182/26.
Ensure all staff are aware and feel able to make personal judgements throughout the day and return to the unit/workplace if at any time they feel unwell due to the heat and intense sunlight.
Ensure that all vulnerable workers with underlying health issues are individually risk assessed to ensure their health and wellbeing is protected whilst working in the current weather.

Additionally, it is further relevant to remind members that workers are protected under Section 44 of the Employment Rights Act 1996, allowing them to remove themselves from situations where they reasonably believe there is a serious and imminent danger, and again outlined in LTB 182/26.

Any enquiries regarding this LTB should be referred to the DGS(P) Department, email address: hford@cwu.org.

Yours sincerely,

Martin Walsh

Deputy General Secretary (Postal)

LTB 227.26 – Severe Heat Weather Warning Issued 11th August to 14th August 2026 (Parts of the UK)

LTB 182.26 Red and Amber Alert

LTB 182.26 Att 1 JS – Royal Mail and Communication Workers Union

LTB 182.26 Att 2 SHE Alert FY26 007 Severe Weather Extreme Heat

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