While the UK has regulations stipulating a minimum working temperature, there is no equivalent legal maximum, a detail that often comes into focus during periods of hot weather. The Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992 state that the temperature in indoor workplaces must be 'reasonable'. Specifically, the Approved Code of Practice suggests a minimum temperature of 16°C, or 13°C if the work involves rigorous physical effort. However, this guidance does not extend to an upper limit, leaving employers to interpret what constitutes a 'reasonable' temperature when conditions become uncomfortably warm.
Despite the absence of a specific maximum, employers are still legally obliged to ensure the health, safety, and welfare of their employees under the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974. This includes conducting risk assessments and implementing control measures to mitigate any risks posed by high temperatures. Such measures might include providing cool water, allowing flexible working hours, offering air conditioning or fans, relaxing dress codes, or providing shaded areas for outdoor workers.
The Trades Union Congress (TUC) has long campaigned for a legal maximum working temperature. Their proposal suggests that indoor work should cease if temperatures reach 30°C, or 27°C for those undertaking strenuous physical activity. This push highlights concerns over the impact of heat on worker productivity, health, and safety. Prolonged exposure to high temperatures can lead to dehydration, heat stress, fatigue, and impaired concentration, all of which can increase the risk of accidents and long-term health issues.
For sectors such as manufacturing, construction, and agriculture, where workers may be exposed to high temperatures both indoors and outdoors, the lack of a clear legal upper limit can present significant challenges. Employers in these industries are particularly encouraged to have robust policies in place to manage heat risk. This could involve scheduling physically demanding tasks for cooler parts of the day, providing regular breaks in cool environments, and ensuring adequate ventilation.
The current framework means that the responsibility largely falls on individual employers to assess and manage the risks of high temperatures. While advisory bodies like the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) provide guidance, the absence of a statutory maximum continues to be a point of contention for employee welfare organisations, especially as the UK experiences more frequent and intense heatwaves.