Story Highlight
– Green MP Hannah Spencer proposes maximum workplace temperature bill.
– Legislation aims to create independent body for temperature recommendations.
– Campaigners demand maximum indoor temperature of 30C, 27C for strenuous work.
– Spencer criticizes UK’s lack of maximum temperature guidelines.
– HSE to consult on updating workplace temperature guidance.
Full Story
Green Party MP Hannah Spencer is set to table a legislative proposal in the UK Parliament aimed at establishing a maximum temperature for workplace environments. This initiative comes amid rising concerns about the frequency of heatwaves experienced across the country, driven by climate change.
If the proposed legislation is enacted, it would create an independent body tasked with recommending what constitutes safe maximum temperatures for workplaces and outlining the implementation of these recommendations.
The absence of guidelines for maximum workplace temperatures has come under scrutiny from various groups, including campaigners and trade unions. They have highlighted the discrepancy in current regulations, which establish minimum workplace temperatures without addressing extreme heat conditions that workers now face due to escalating summer temperatures. Trade unions such as Unison and the Trade Union Congress have made specific calls for a threshold of 30°C for standard indoor work environments and 27°C for more physically demanding tasks.
Having previously worked as a plumber before her election as MP for Gorton and Denton in February, Spencer has voiced concerns about the harsh conditions faced by tradespeople. She remarked, “From bus and train drivers sweltering in cabins that are hotter than the soaring temperatures outside and bakers working in temperatures of over 40 degrees, to builders whose workplaces offer no respite from the heat, the government has a duty to protect all of us.”
A particular case that has resonated with Spencer involves a constituent who described the “unbearable” conditions of laying tarmac in the sweltering heat of Gorton and Denton. The MP expressed disbelief that the UK lacks official guidance on maximum occupational temperatures, calling it “absurd” and emphasising that “this is something workers and trade unions have been raising the alarm about for many years.” She lamented the delayed response from the government to increasingly unsafe working conditions, indicating that the extreme temperatures seen in recent times should serve as a critical warning.
Spencer suggested that the UK could learn from approaches taken in countries such as Spain, where employment regulations stipulate maximum temperatures aligned with the nature of the work. She pointed out that Spanish workers benefit from the option to adjust their working hours during heat waves to avoid operating during the hottest parts of the day.
Her proposed bill is anticipated to gain support from various political factions, with backing from several left-leaning Labour MPs including Rebecca Long-Bailey, Alex Sobel, and Nadia Whittome, as well as representatives from the Scottish National Party, Plaid Cymru, and the independent MP Jeremy Corbyn.
Meanwhile, the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has previously asserted that it cannot set maximum temperature limits on workplaces due to the fact that extreme heat may originate from workplace activities rather than ambient weather conditions. For instance, the heat generated by ovens in bakeries contributes considerably to internal temperatures.
While there is no legal minimum temperature requirement, the HSE’s guidelines suggest that a working temperature should generally be at least 16°C (61°F) — or 13°C for more strenuous work.
In May, a report from the government-advising Climate Change Committee highlighted the necessity of instituting regulations for maximum workplace temperatures in response to the growing risks associated with high temperatures, aiming to protect worker safety while encouraging the implementation of appropriate cooling measures. However, the Committee did not specify a set maximum temperature, and government ministers have yet to provide a comprehensive response to the recommendations.
Nonetheless, a public consultation is set to be launched by the HSE later this year to gather opinions on potential updates to existing guidelines, which may include considerations for temperature limits.
This summer has already seen record-breaking temperatures in the UK, with thermometers exceeding 34°C on nine occasions, surpassing the previous record of seven days recorded in both 1976 and 2020. This year has also witnessed six days of temperatures reaching 35°C or higher for the first time. Experts have concluded that the extreme heat experienced across much of England and Wales has been exacerbated by the climate crisis, primarily attributed to fossil fuel consumption.
Forecasters indicate that the enduring hot weather affecting large parts of England and Wales is expected to persist at least until Wednesday, intensifying the urgency for proactive measures to safeguard workers in sweltering conditions. The nature of work environments across various sectors now raises significant concerns about health risks and productivity, placing further emphasis on the legislative adjustments being proposed.
Our Thoughts
To avoid the issues highlighted in the article regarding workplace temperatures, several measures could have been implemented. Firstly, establishing a regulatory framework for maximum workplace temperatures under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 would provide clear guidelines to ensure worker safety during extreme heat conditions. Current recommendations focus solely on minimum temperatures, which is an oversight given the increasing prevalence of heatwaves attributed to climate change.
Employers should conduct comprehensive risk assessments under the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999, identifying and mitigating risks associated with high temperatures. This includes providing adequate cooling solutions, alternating work schedules to avoid the hottest parts of the day, and ensuring proper hydration for workers.
The absence of maximum temperature regulations could be considered a breach of the duty of care employers owe to their employees under health and safety legislation. Lessons from other countries, like Spain, highlight the importance of proactive measures in adapting workplace conditions to changing climate realities.
Going forward, the UK government and the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) should prioritize the development of maximum temperature legislation to protect workers and prevent heat-related illnesses and incidents in the future.
