A petition launched on the UK Parliament website calls for a legally binding maximum working temperature of 25°C for all workplaces, as the country braces for a record-breaking heatwave with temperatures expected to reach 40°C in parts of England and Wales. The Met Office has issued a rare red heat warning, only the second time such an alert has been given.
Petition Details and Current Status
The petition, established by Mr Andrew Haddock last week, currently has 555 signatures as of Wednesday morning. It remains open until December 19, 2026. Should the petition reach 10,000 signatures, the government will provide a response; at 100,000 signatures, it will be considered for parliamentary debate, according to the Mirror.
The petition states: "Introduce a legally binding maximum working temperature of 25C for all workplaces, covering both indoor and outdoor jobs. Currently, there is an advisory minimum temperature in statutory guidance but no upper limit. We want the Government to change this by introducing a strict 25C maximum cap."
Current Legal Framework
Under the Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992, employers are legally obligated to maintain indoor workplace temperatures at a "reasonable" level. However, there is no legally defined maximum temperature that determines when conditions become "too hot to work." Heat is acknowledged as an occupational hazard, meaning employers must manage and mitigate it like any other safety concern. The precise legal rights, protections, and responsibilities may differ depending on the working environment.
The petition argues: "When temperatures hit 25C, employers must legally provide cooling measures or pause work. The law must also enforce lower thresholds for more physical roles. Under the Health and Safety at Work Act, we believe 'reasonable comfort' is not clear enough, and enforceable limits are needed to protect everyone."
Extreme Heat Forecast and Red Warning
The UK is bracing for exceptional temperatures, with school closures and advisories to avoid travel as weather alerts are now active. On Wednesday and Thursday, temperatures may climb to 40°C in some parts of England and Wales due to a "heat-dome" positioned over western Europe, triggering extreme conditions across the continent. The Met Office's red weather warning for severe heat covers an area from London to Swansea and from Somerset to Birmingham, valid from 9am on Wednesday until 9pm on Thursday.
Met Office spokesman Grahame Madge said: "It is important to remember that the temperature value is only one element of this extreme heatwave story. The other major factor is the high humidity, which for many will make the intense heat even harder to endure."
Throughout the most intense period, temperatures could near the UK's record high of 40.3°C, registered in Lincolnshire in July 2022. This heatwave is also forecast to surpass the June record of 35.6°C, established in Hampshire in 1976.
Employer Recommendations for Hot Weather
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) and bodies such as Acas recommend that employers implement practical measures should the heat cause discomfort. These include supplying fresh, clean air, complimentary drinking water, air conditioning, relaxing dress code requirements, and offering flexible working shifts. However, without a legal maximum, enforcement remains limited.
