Experts are calling for the UK to enforce a maximum temperature rule for workplaces to protect workers during heatwaves, as the Climate Change Committee (CCC) warns that the nation is experiencing record-breaking heat.
Baroness Brown Criticises Government Inaction
Baroness Brown, chair of the CCC's Adaptation Committee, slammed the 'woeful' performance of successive governments in addressing climate change threats. She argued that a maximum temperature law is a sensible step, as productivity drops significantly in extreme heat and workers 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 that's prepared to prioritise adapting to climate change,' she said.
Record Heat and Future Risks
Last year was Britain's warmest on record, with four of the last five years among the top five warmest, according to the Met Office. The UK is set to experience a heatwave with temperatures soaring above 30°C in the coming days. The CCC warns that the country was 'built for a climate that no longer exists' and recommends prioritising air conditioning in schools and hospitals alongside new workplace temperature laws.
Proposed Temperature Thresholds
The CCC points to Spain, where the maximum legal indoor working temperature is 27°C for sedentary work and 25°C for light physical work. A report by the Autonomy Institute suggests setting a threshold of 27°C for workers, aligning with Trades Union Congress (TUC) guidance for strenuous work. The TUC has previously proposed a maximum indoor temperature of 30°C, urging employers to reduce temperatures if they exceed 24°C.
Legal Right to Stop Work
Autonomy also recommends a legal right for workers to stop work during high heat periods, 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.'
Government Response
Labour Party Environment Secretary Emma Reynolds stated: 'We are acting to protect people and places from the impacts of climate change. Robust, independent science is essential, and we will carefully consider the CCC's recommendations.' However, the Health and Safety Executive notes that there is currently no law for maximum working temperature, as workplaces vary widely, and high temperatures in some indoor settings are created by work activity rather than seasonal heat.
The call for action follows a report by the Autonomy Institute indicating that two-thirds of UK workers could face heatwaves above 35°C by the end of the decade. Currently, around six million workers in construction, agriculture, and logistics are already exposed to extreme heat.
