The Trades Union Congress (TUC) is calling for a maximum working temperature to protect workers in the wake of Britain’s first heatwave of the year, which started in May, as amber heat health alerts had been issued for some areas.
Working in hot weather can lead to dehydration, tiredness, muscle cramps, fainting, and – in the most extreme cases – loss of consciousness. Workers who are outdoors for long periods in a heat wave are at serious risk of sunstroke, heat stress and even skin cancer, according to the TUC. Unlike other countries, Britain does not have maximum legal working temperatures.
However, there are minimum working temperatures, with the HSE’s Code of Practice setting out that the temperature in a workplace should normally be at least 16 degrees Celsius. The need for maximum temperature regulations for workplaces was recently backed by the Climate Change Committee in their recommendations to government.
TUC General Secretary Paul Nowak said that indoor workplaces should be kept at comfortable temperatures, with relaxed dress codes and flexible working to make use of the coolest hours of the day.
“Employers must ensure that outdoor workers are protected with regular breaks, lots of fluids, plenty of sunscreen and the right protective clothing. With heatwaves becoming more common, we need to adapt. We need new laws on maximum working temperatures, improvements to workplaces to keep them cool, and climate action to reduce global heating.”
The government has committed to “modernise health and safety guidance with reference to extreme temperatures” as part of their ‘Make Work Pay’ policy programme. The TUC calls for the HSE to urgently review and update guidance to deliver on this commitment.
The union says that guidelines for maximum workplace temperatures should be introduced to ensure that employers may take steps to reduce temperatures if they get above 24°C and workers feel uncomfortable. Workers should also be able to stop working above a maximum temperature of 30°C, or 27°C for those doing strenuous jobs.
The TUC is also calling on ministers to make sure British workplaces are fit for a hotter climate. Public and private investment is needed to upgrade our buildings and infrastructure, so that they remain functional during heatwaves.
