Petition Gains Momentum Amid Heatwave
More than 20,000 people have signed a petition calling for a new law that would prevent employers from forcing workers to endure high temperatures. The UK currently has a legal minimum indoor working temperature of 16°C (or 13°C for strenuous work) but no maximum. The petition, launched on Change.org by Kerry Cooper from Shrewsbury, has gained over 21,000 signatures, with the vast majority added in the last 24 hours as a heatwave grips the country.
Government Response and Review
The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) announced this week that it is considering new legislation. DWP Minister Sir Stephen Timms said the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) is reviewing the rules, with an update expected later this year. He stated: "The HSE is Great Britain's national regulator for workplace health and safety. There is a legal duty for employers to fully assess the risks to workers from extreme heat. HSE provides guidance for employers to manage the risk to workers, including from extreme heat." Timms added that the HSE issued a press release on June 19 to raise awareness and will launch a public consultation on proposed changes to the Approved Code of Practice for the Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992, including those relating to workplace temperature.
Personal Stories Highlight the Issue
Kerry Cooper, who has multiple health conditions affecting her ability to handle heat, started the petition after struggling to work in hot conditions. She said her employer's only response was "a couple of tower fans pushing warm air around the room." Supporters have shared their own experiences. James commented: "In my factory, I'm running a machine set at 195°C, handballing 25kg, walking 20k steps a day, no windows, no aircon, no fans, and we don't even have access to clean drinking water." Ocean added: "I work in a warehouse, it's like a literal greenhouse in there. The fans are mostly broke, I'm dizzy and feel sick." Karen wrote: "I work in a care home... it's a very busy environment for all carers but even worse for the residents." Chris said: "I work for British Gas out in the field. Even with the red weather warning, it was business as usual." Samantha noted: "I work in a factory... it's 33.2°C in here. Definitely not comfortable or safe."
International Comparisons and Union Support
Spain already caps indoor working temperatures at 27°C for desk-based work and 25°C for physical work. The push for a UK maximum comes as Europe's largest trade unions call for the right to stop work when temperatures exceed 30°C, and follows separate calls from doctors for a legal maximum to protect NHS staff. The petition, which names the HSE and Work and Pensions Secretary Pat McFadden as decision-makers, has dwarfed a similar petition on the UK Parliament's petitions site, which has only 6,500 signatures since December.
