The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has confirmed that a public consultation will be launched on proposed changes to the Approved Code of Practice for the Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992, including those relating to workplace temperature. This update comes as the UK bakes in its third heatwave of 2026, with temperatures forecast to hit highs of 36C this week.
Current Legal Position on Workplace Temperature
There is currently no maximum workplace temperature established in law in the UK. The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) explains that no meaningful upper limit can be imposed because in many indoor workplaces, high temperatures can be caused by the work activity. However, employers are under a statutory duty to ensure the health and safety of their employees.
Parliamentary Question Triggers Update
In a written parliamentary question, Labour MP Alex Mayer asked the DWP about the 'potential impact' of heatwaves on workers in outdoor and high-temperature workplaces. In response, Sir Stephen Timms, the Minister for Social Security and Disability, confirmed the planned consultation.
Sir Stephen Timms wrote: "The Health and Safety Executive (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. HSE issued a press release on Friday 19 June to raise awareness of the risks to workers, to help workplaces in the current hot weather."
He added: "This year, HSE will also be launching 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."
Government Recognition and TUC Proposals
According to a House of Commons research briefing published in June, the government has recognised “regularly unacceptably high” temperatures in some sectors and has committed to modernising health and safety guidance relating to extreme temperatures. The TUC has called on HSE to review and update its guidance, proposing that employers should be required to take steps to reduce temperatures if they get above 24C and workers feel uncomfortable. The TUC also proposed that workers should be able to stop work above a maximum temperature of 30C, or 27C for those doing strenuous jobs.
House of Lords Debate and Weather Outlook
In June last year, a debate on extreme heat in the UK took place in the House of Lords. On behalf of the government, Baroness Anderson did not commit to asking the HSE to determine whether a maximum workplace temperature should be introduced, but said workplaces are required to provide a 'reasonable indoor temperature' in the workplace.
For those struggling with the heat at work this week, the Met Office has said that temperatures will gradually reduce from this weekend, although a 'prolonged period' of warm weather is expected. Met Office deputy chief forecaster Tom Crabtree said: “Many people will understandably want to know how long the current heatwave is likely to last. While temperatures are expected to ease across southeast England through the weekend and into next week, it won't be a straightforward end to the warm weather.”
Mr Crabtree continued: “High pressure is expected to remain in charge through much of next week, but it will gradually migrate northwards. This means that an easterly wind will become established in the south, and the focus for the hottest conditions will migrate towards the southwest. As a result, some places that have seen the highest temperatures during recent weeks will begin to cool. It will however, remain very warm – especially in the southwest – and heatwave thresholds may continue to be met in places. The overall signal is for continued fine, dry and very warm weather at times for many parts of the UK into next week. There is however a chance of thunderstorms spreading into parts of the south and southwest.”
