Green MP Hannah Spencer is set to introduce a bill in parliament aimed at establishing legal limits on maximum workplace temperatures across the UK. This initiative comes as the nation faces increasingly frequent heatwaves, which Spencer argues are creating unsafe working conditions, particularly for tradespeople.
Spencer, who won the Gorton and Denton byelection in February, highlighted the urgent need for regulations to protect workers from extreme heat. “From bus and train drivers sweltering in cabins that are hotter than the soaring temperatures outside to bakers working in temperatures of over 40 degrees, the government has a duty to protect all of us,” she stated.
Legislation to Address Rising Heat Risks
The proposed legislation will establish an independent body responsible for recommending maximum safe workplace temperatures and outlining implementation strategies. Current health and safety guidelines in the UK only address minimum temperatures, leaving workers vulnerable to excessive heat.
Campaigners and unions, including Unison and the Trade Union Congress, have called for a maximum indoor work temperature of 30°C or 27°C for strenuous work. Spencer emphasized the absurdity of the lack of maximum temperature guidance, stating, “This is something workers and trade unions have been raising the alarm about for many years.”
Cross-Party Support and International Comparisons
Spencer's bill is expected to gain cross-party support, with backing from notable Labour MPs such as Rebecca Long-Bailey, Alex Sobel, and Nadia Whittome, as well as members from the Scottish National Party and Plaid Cymru. The initiative seeks to adopt successful measures from countries like Spain, where maximum temperatures are enforced based on the type of work being conducted.
In Spain, workers can adjust their schedules during heatwaves to avoid working in the hottest parts of the day. Spencer urged the UK government to follow suit and take decisive action to protect workers from extreme temperatures.
Government Response and Future Consultations
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has previously stated that it cannot impose maximum workplace temperatures, citing that excessive heat can result from workplace activities. A recent report from the Climate Change Committee recommended setting maximum work temperature regulations to mitigate risks to workers’ safety and encourage cooling solutions.
While the government has yet to propose specific temperature limits, it announced plans for a public consultation this year to gather opinions on updating existing guidance, potentially including temperature thresholds. Notably, temperatures in the UK have surpassed 34°C on nine occasions this year, breaking previous records.
- 30°C - Proposed maximum indoor work temperature
- 27°C - Proposed maximum for strenuous work
- 34°C - Number of days exceeding this temperature in 2023
🤖 This article was rewritten by Feed and Figures' editorial AI from a report originally published by Guardian Politics. Facts and quotes are preserved from the original; the rewrite focuses on clarity and structure. For the unedited original, see the source link below.
