Usdaw calls for a legal maximum temperature in workplaces

Addressing delegates in Blackpool’s Winter Gardens, Rab Donnelly – Usdaw deputy general secretary says: “Health and safety policy impacts every worker, in every workplace, in every sector. These hard fought for protections have been brought through a long history of trade union campaigning and we know that they continue to be vital in ensuring that workers are not injured or made ill by their work.

“It's a fundamental part of our role as trade unionists, to hold employers to account when it comes to health and safety legislation, making sure that they have the policies in place, and that those policies are followed. Members' health and safety is at the forefront of our priorities, and therefore, I'd like to thank the branches, delegates and speakers that have participated in this debate. 

“The introduction of a legal maximum workplace temperature is something that we've spoken about a lot over the years and it's clearly an important, ongoing welfare concern for our members. Under current regulations, there is a legal minimum temperature limit for working indoors, workplaces should be at least 16 degrees Celsius and 13 degrees if the work involves rigorous physical effort. However, there is currently no law stating a maximum workplace temperature, only the responsibility to assess the risks and provide temporary, local cooling methods, access to water and rest facilities where necessary.

“Extreme heat can be just as dangerous as extreme cold. Workers risk heat exhaustion, heat stroke, and dehydration. An inability to concentrate and sweaty conditions lead to more frequent accidents and people getting hurt and this problem isn't going away. In fact, it's getting worse, due to climate change. In June 2025, the Met Office said the chance of seeing temperatures above 40 degrees Celsius is now 20 times higher than it was in the 1960s and this will only continue to increase as the planet warms.

“The TUC has been calling for a change in the law. They want employers to be required to take action when the temperature starts to rise above 24 degrees Celsius and for there to be an absolute maximum working temperature of 27 degrees for strenuous physical work and 30 degrees for non-physical work. Usdaw has been a staunch supporter of this campaign for many years, conducting numerous surveys to provide evidence to lawmakers and creating literature and resources to help members know their rights and get involved in the campaign.

“No-one should have to work in extreme and dangerous conditions. Workers deserve a legal right to be protected from the heat and as the world hurtles towards 1.5 degrees of warming, this issue is only going to become more of an urgent priority.”