The Climate Change Committee (CCC) has called on the UK government to introduce maximum working temperature legislation as Britain braces for potential record-breaking heat of up to 40°C. Currently, there is no legal upper limit for workplace temperatures, despite sweltering conditions that can cause exhaustion, dehydration, and reduced productivity.
CCC Urges Action on Heatwave Risks
Baroness Brown, chair of the CCC's Adaptation Committee, stated: "It's a very sensible thing to do because we know that productivity drops very significantly when the weather gets very hot and we know that people become more prone to making mistakes and to having accidents." She criticized successive governments for their "woeful" track record in adapting to climate change, warning that aspects of the British way of life are under threat.
The CCC recommends installing air conditioning and cooling technologies in schools and hospitals as a priority, noting that the UK was "built for a climate that no longer exists." Temperatures across the country are expected to exceed 38°C, according to WXCharts weather maps based on MetDesk data.
Spain's Example and Worker Safety
While the CCC stops short of specifying a maximum temperature, it highlights Spain's limits: 27°C for sedentary work and 25°C for light physical work. The Trades Union Congress (TUC) has called for a maximum of 30°C indoors, with employers urged to reduce temperatures above 24°C.
Labour Party Environment Secretary Emma Reynolds said: "We are acting to protect people and places from the impacts of climate change that are already being felt across the UK. Robust, independent science is essential and we will carefully consider the Climate Change Committee's latest recommendations."
Millions at Risk from Extreme Heat
A report by the Autonomy Institute found that two-thirds of the UK workforce could be toiling in heatwaves surpassing 35°C before the end of the decade. An estimated six million workers—particularly in construction, agriculture, and logistics—are already exposed to dangerously high heat levels. Autonomy recommends a maximum working temperature of 27°C, aligning with TUC guidance for "strenuous work."
Autonomy also argues that workers should have a legal right to stop work during extreme heat, with provisions for shelter and rest breaks. TUC general secretary Paul Nowak said: "Everyone deserves to be safe and comfortable at work. Setting a legal limit is a simple, common-sense step to protect people from dangerous conditions – especially as extreme temperatures become more frequent."
Government Response and Existing Guidance
The government stated it would thoroughly examine the CCC's guidance. However, the Health and Safety Executive notes that no maximum temperature exists because workplaces vary widely, and high temperatures are often created by work activities like bakeries or foundries.
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