A new petition on the UK Parliament website is urging the government to introduce a legally binding maximum workplace temperature of 25°C, as Britain endures record-breaking heat exceeding 38°C. The campaign, supported by major unions including Usdaw, GMB, and Unite, argues that current regulations are inadequate for protecting workers during extreme heat events.
Current Law and the Gap
Under the Health and Safety at Work Act, employers must maintain a 'reasonable' temperature, but no specific upper limit is defined. The Health, Safety and Welfare Regulations 1992 require 'reasonable comfort' without a statutory maximum. Patrick Macken, a solicitor at Richard Nelson LLP, noted: 'There is no specific office or work temperature threshold that entitles the workforce to stop working or relocate.' The only statutory guidance addresses a minimum temperature, leaving workers vulnerable in heatwaves.
Petition Demands
The petition, which had garnered over 10,000 signatures by June 25, 2026, calls for a strict 25°C cap for both indoor and outdoor workplaces. It states: 'When temperatures hit 25°C, employers must legally provide cooling measures or pause work. The law must also enforce lower thresholds for more physical roles.' If the petition reaches 10,000 signatures, the government must issue an official response; at 100,000, it would be considered for parliamentary debate.
Union Reactions
Joanne Thomas, Usdaw general secretary, warned: 'Heat stress is a real health and safety risk that can lead to more accidents and injuries. As the temperature rises, heat exhaustion starts—loss of concentration, irritability, dizziness, headaches, nausea and fainting.' GMB national officer Stacey Booth added: 'No pupil or member of staff should be expected to learn or work in unsafe levels of heat,' urging schools to act when temperatures exceed 30°C. Unite general secretary Sharon Graham highlighted the plight of bus drivers: 'Every year bus drivers are left sweltering during heatwaves, risking their own health and that of their passengers. Bus firms must stop putting profits before people and act now.'
Health and Safety Context
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has warned of significant pressures on health and social care services, with increased deaths among those aged 65 and over or with pre-existing conditions. The Met Office reported that temperatures could climb beyond 38°C, with extreme heat warnings and health alerts issued across England. The Employment Rights Act 1996 provides recourse for employees who leave work due to serious and imminent danger, though the threshold is not limited to life-threatening risks—it includes exposure to harm or injury.
Next Steps
The petition remains open for signatures. If it reaches 100,000, it will trigger a parliamentary debate, increasing pressure on the government to amend workplace temperature regulations. Unions continue to urge employers to implement cooling measures, provide water, and adjust work schedules during heatwaves.
