The Government and business groups have rejected calls for a legal limit on workplace temperatures, despite growing concern about worker safety during extreme heat.
The debate intensified after the Met Office issued only its second red warning for extreme heat, with temperatures forecast to reach at least 39°C. Climate campaigners and workers’ rights groups said more than 1,000 people had signed up for a “heat strike”, including lunchtime walkouts.
The UK has no legal limit on working temperatures. Current guidance refers only to minimum temperatures of 16°C or 13°C for physically demanding work.
The Climate Change Committee, the Government’s independent adviser, has urged ministers to introduce a maximum workplace temperature. It argued that clear limits would push employers to invest in cooling measures and protect staff as heatwaves become more frequent and severe.
The Trades Union Congress has called for indoor limits of 30°C, or 27°C for strenuous work. However, the Government said it has no plans to introduce a legal maximum. The CBI also said a fixed limit would be impractical, while some small shops and restaurants warned it could force them to close during hot weather.
The Health and Safety Executive said that heat remains a workplace hazard and should be managed like any other risk. It is working with the Government on consultation proposals, including workplace temperature.
The World Health Organisation estimates that heat causes nearly 23 million occupational injuries globally each year. Outdoor workers in agriculture and construction are among those most exposed.
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