The recent heatwave has sparked an urgent discussion on workplace policies regarding safe temperature limits.
- Temperatures have soared above 30°C, prompting yellow heat warnings, especially in the south-east.
- The TUC is advocating for official regulation on maximum workplace temperatures to protect workers.
- Current UK regulations lack a legal maximum workplace temperature, only stipulating a minimum.
- BBC experts and union leaders highlight the need for updated workplace guidelines to include temperature limits.
Rising temperatures exceeding 30°C in the UK have prompted yellow heat warnings, particularly affecting outdoor and heavy-labour workers who face elevated health risks. These conditions have brought to light the absence of a legally defined maximum workplace temperature, a critical issue emphasised by the Trades Union Congress (TUC).
In light of this, the TUC has urged Members of Parliament to consider establishing a maximum workplace temperature, suggesting 30°C for general work and 27°C for high-exertion tasks. The union stresses that current building standards and legal guidelines are outdated, crafted for a different climate era. Consequently, there is a pressing need to update these frameworks to safeguard workers against the escalating frequency and intensity of heatwaves.
Nikos Christidis from the Met Office has noted the increased likelihood of experiencing 40°C days in the UK—events now ten times more probable due to climate change. However, despite such alarming statistics, UK workplace regulations currently mandate only a minimum indoor temperature of 16°C, with no maximum threshold. This regulatory gap has become increasingly problematic as extreme heat events become more common.
The TUC’s general secretary, Paul Nowak, has articulated the necessity for modernising workplace guidelines, suggesting relaxed dress codes and flexible working hours to utilise cooler parts of the day. Nowak emphasised the importance of adapting workplaces to contemporary climate challenges, advocating for infrastructures that support climate resilience.
As workers are entitled to safe working conditions, including heat safety, they are empowered to report any hazardous temperature increases impacting their health. Employees can request measures such as relaxed dress codes, flexible hours, and the provision of cold foods and beverages to mitigate heat-related discomfort.
The current heatwave underscores the urgency for implementing legal maximum temperature regulations to protect workers’ health.
