As Britain braces for record-breaking temperatures of up to 34°C, a pressing question emerges: should workers be required to labour through extreme heat? The Climate Change Committee (CCC) has issued a stark warning that the UK was 'built for a climate that no longer exists' and is demanding new legislation to set a maximum workplace temperature, safeguarding employees' health during heatwaves.
With the Met Office highlighting that rising temperatures signal rapid climate change, the CCC is calling on the government to introduce maximum temperature laws. This follows reports that two-thirds of the UK workforce could face heatwaves exceeding 35°C by the end of the decade, according to the Autonomy Institute.
Current Lack of Regulation
There is currently no legal maximum working temperature in the UK. The Health and Safety Executive states that 'no meaningful upper limit can be imposed' due to varying workplace conditions, such as bakeries or foundries where high temperatures are inherent to the job. However, critics argue this leaves millions vulnerable.
Baroness Brown, chair of the CCC's Adaptation Committee, emphasised that productivity drops significantly in hot weather, and people become more prone to mistakes and accidents. 'It's not rocket science – we know what to do but we haven't yet seen a government prepared to prioritise adapting to climate change,' she said.
International Examples and Proposals
The CCC does not specify a maximum temperature but points to Spain, where the highest legal indoor working temperature is 27°C for sedentary work and 25°C for light physical work. The Autonomy Institute proposes a threshold of 27°C, aligning with Trades Union Congress (TUC) guidance for strenuous work. The TUC has suggested a maximum of 30°C for indoor environments, with employers urged to reduce temperatures if they exceed 24°C.
Autonomy also advocates for a legal right to cease work during intense heat, along with mandatory shelter and rest breaks. TUC general secretary Paul Nowak stated: '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
The government has said it will 'carefully consider and respond to the committee's advice.' Labour Party Environment Secretary Emma Reynolds noted: 'We are acting to protect people and places from the impacts of climate change that are already being felt across the UK – from flooding to extreme heat and drought.'
The CCC has also urged the rollout of air conditioning and cooling technologies in schools and hospitals as a high priority. With temperatures expected to surpass 30°C across the country, the debate over workplace heat safety intensifies.
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