'I've been offered a dip in the paddling pool': Working in a heatwave

A spell of hot weather can turn an ordinary working day into a sticky, sweaty, exhausting one.

And while some people can retreat behind closed blinds or the hum of a fan, others have little choice but to work through it.

In Northern Ireland, there are currently no laws in place that limit the maximum temperature an employee can work in.

But who has the toughest time at work when temperatures soar?

20-year-old Kayla Mullan from Banbridge, said the heatwave makes her physically demanding job as a postal worker even tougher, and she's "exhausted" at the end of the day.

"It makes it more difficult to carry a heavy bag full of mail around all different types of terrain on an estate," she said.

"We're typically using the van a lot more - even for short distances - to stop ourselves burning out by walking up and down hills."

The postie, who regularly covers between 18,000 and 20,000 steps a day, said the heat has slowed her pace and left her finishing work later than usual.

"Walking the amount I do is hard enough on a typical day, but in these temperatures I'm getting a lot more drained and tired much quicker than usual."

Despite the challenging conditions, Mullan said the response from the public has helped lift her spirits.

"I've been offered ice-cold water, ice cream, ice lollies, juice and even a quick dip in paddling pools."

For Adam Bustard, the owner of third-generation chip shop Flash in the Pan in Ballymoney, coping with the heat can be a "huge challenge".

"It has reached temperatures of around 36 degrees in the shop during this heatwave, which would be about 10 degrees hotter than normal."

As well as working in the heat, staff are cooking food at temperatures exceeding 180C in a small, enclosed kitchen.

Thankfully, the hot weather has also changed what some customers are ordering, with lighter meals proving more popular.

"People are choosing things like chicken salads, wraps and baked potatoes," he said.

Behind the scenes, the heat also means extra checks to make sure food remains safe.

Bustard said staff are paying close attention to the temperatures of cold rooms, refrigeration units and both cooked and pre-cooked food to ensure everything is being stored correctly in the soaring temperatures.

Belfast care worker Bronagh Moore, explained how a heatwave means keeping an even closer eye on the people she looks after.

She said hot weather increases the risk of dehydration and heat exhaustion, particularly for older people who may have long-term health conditions and clients with mobility issues.

"Some clients may not realise they are overheating. or may forget to drink enough water, so they need extra support."

The heat can also take a toll on care workers themselves.

"Working in high temperatures can be tiring, especially when providing personal care or moving between clients.

"It's important to stay hydrated, take breaks when possible and manage my own wellbeing so I can continue providing safe, high-quality care."

For dairy farmer Brian Matthews from Donaghcloney, County Down, a heatwave means changing both his routine and the way he cares for his herd.

He milks 150 Holstein cows three times a day. When temperatures climb, his priority becomes keeping the animals as cool as possible.

"We open all the doors of the sheds and put gates in place just to allow an airflow through.

"Last year the cows really struggled outside, but they seem to do better in the shed because there's a slight breeze."

He has also upgraded the farm's water system to ensure the animals have a constant supply during hot weather.

But the heat has affected more than just the cows' comfort.

Matthews says it has also hit milk quality, with butterfat and protein levels dropping because the animals are "under stress".

His working day has changed too, with milking brought forward in the morning and pushed later into the evening to avoid the hottest part of the day.

Despite the challenges, he says farming is his way of life.

"It's 24/7. You're basically living at your work and always on call. But it's what we love to do and we take pride in what we produce."

For Bryan Whitelaw, a teacher at Hot Yoga Belfast, working through a heatwave is business as usual, despite leading classes in rooms that can reach more than 40C.

Although exercising can be intense during a spell of hot weather, training spaces are typically designed to cope.

"It takes a lot less to heat the studio, the heat isn't the challenge during these warmer spells, it's the humidity", he said.

Whitelaw has been adapting classes depending on conditions, and encouraging students to slow down, modify poses or take breaks if needed.

"It's important to us that students know they're there to take care of their body and mind.

"We use plenty of fresh air throughout the class to keep the room manageable and comfortable."

Class numbers have slightly dipped during the warm weather, but while some people may be put off trying hot yoga during a heatwave, Whitelaw believes it can actually be a good time to give it a go.

"Classes are often a little quieter over the summer, which means teachers can give everyone more attention."

Roofer and joiner Eddie Riley has spent 27 years working at height in all types of weather, but said even after nearly three decades on the job, a heatwave presents its own test.

The Bellanaleck, County Fermanagh man said he enjoys working under blue skies and would choose sunshine "over rain any day", but the relentless heat radiating from rooftops can quickly take its toll.

"In extremely hot weather it is a challenging job. Regular water breaks are essential to get through an eight-hour shift."

The heat doesn't just affect the conditions, it changes the materials he handles too.

"Slates and roof tiles become too hot to comfortably grip, while timber begins to ooze sticky sap."

After long hours working in direct sunlight, Riley said the physical strain begins to build.

"You're overheating faster. Everything you do becomes that bit harder."