Sadiq Khan, the mayor of London, has expressed support for establishing maximum workplace temperature regulations in the United Kingdom, aligning with growing pressure on the government to protect workers during increasingly severe heatwaves.
The UK has experienced significant heat-related challenges, with temperatures in some workplaces exceeding 40C. The recent June heatwave resulted in an estimated 440 deaths per day at its peak and prompted school closures alongside disruptions to hospital and transport infrastructure. Currently, the UK maintains health and safety guidelines establishing minimum workplace temperatures but lacks regulations for maximum temperatures.
Trade unions and advocacy organizations have been campaigning for temperature caps, with groups like Unison and the Trades Union Congress proposing a maximum of 30C for standard work or 27C for physically demanding roles. The Climate Change Committee, a government advisory body, included a recommendation in a May report for maximum workplace temperature regulations to safeguard worker safety and promote cooling infrastructure investment. Recently, Green party MP Hannah Spencer announced plans to introduce parliamentary legislation addressing workplace heat limits.
Khan’s office confirmed his support for such measures, noting that extreme heat is becoming an increasingly pressing concern for London residents who have been among the hardest hit during this summer’s heatwaves. Though Khan lacks the authority to enforce maximum temperature rules independently, he has initiated an adaptation program to help the city prepare for more frequent and intense heat events.
A government spokesperson stated there are currently no plans to mandate maximum workplace temperatures, pointing instead to guidance provided by the Health and Safety Executive for employers. The spokesperson indicated that the HSE will conduct a public consultation on workplace health and safety this year that will examine temperature thresholds alongside other relevant issues.
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