Next week's heat wave

[xxxParisexxx]

Hi everyone I'm 12 weeks pregnant with my 2nd. I wanted some advice in terms of my job and the heat wave next week predicted.
I work 7.30 till 4 outside with racing greyhounds. I have a half hour break at 9 and an hour at 2. I have opportunities to sit down during the day but it's completely in the sun.
There is no shade at all at work and I'm slightly dreading being out it the 27 degree heat, in a sun trap, all day. I drink plenty (2.5litres normally) but still end up feeling faint and light headed (this week it happened despite it being 23 degrees)
Any tips? Thanks x

Talk to work. They may decide it is unsafe for you to work.

In general though, lots of sun lotion and a sun hat should help you against some of the heat. Could you take a large golf umbrella to sit under when you can?

Your employers must carry out a risk assessment, and act accordingly. Alternative jobs, shorter hours, longer breaks or in extreme cases of being unable to work, paid leave

I think it's the no shade which makes it so hard. Despite sun lotion etc wed i burnt and fri felt crap and went to bed at 7.30pm.
The umbrella would scare the nervous greyhounds we have so that's a no go unfortunatly. I don't have a hat so will invest in one x

Yes to the hat (a wide brimmed one) and yes to the risk assessment. You will likely need more breaks. If you find it too hard you must say something and they'll have to get you doing something else (if there's nothing else to do then they'll have to send you on full pay).

If it's deemed unsafe for you to work, you should be sent home but your employer doesn't automatically have to pay you. It depends on wether they pay sick or not; some employers only give SSP.

I get no sick pay no, I don't want to moan but feeling naff is not nice. Roll on winter but then I have to ice to contend with being more heavily pregnant x

Could they not provide a cheap gazebo for you to take a break in under some shade as a reasonable adjustment?

I could ask but tbh a lot of our greyhounds are nervous and can't see them walking past a gazebo but it's a good idea x

Wide brimmed hat and how about a cooling neck wrap? If you stick that into amazon it comes up with neck scarfs for about £5 that are supposed to cool you down?

I have one of those neck towel/wrap things that you keep wet and find it helps loads. Big floppy sun hat, handheld fan (maybe one that squirts water too or a cooling spray) and more breaks. Maybe also split the 1 break into 2 half hour ones?

Oh brilliant idea about the neck wrap and cool spray, will be looking at getting these, thank you. I'm dreading it . I'm so fair and much prefer the autumn winter but still, mustn't complain x

I’m going to be on the tube a lot in London next week and completely panicking about the heat aswell! I fill up water bottles the night before and put them in the freezer. The next day I can then have ice cold water on my travels and if you place the cold bottle on your wrists it cools you down. That’s my tip! But defo agree with the others about risk assement.

Will you have access to a car with air con? One way to spend your break could be in a car?

My car will be there yes so that's an option too thank you. Daisey must be awful on tube , feel for u xx