Petition for legal maximum working temperature launches with hundreds signing it

Petition for legal maximum working temperature launches with hundreds signing it As the UK faces a record-breaking heatwave this week, people are signing a petition to create a legally enforceable maximum working temperature A petition has been created calling for the government to legally enforce a maximum working temperature, as the UK faces a record-breaking heatwave. On Wednesday morning (June 24), a rare red heat warning has come into force for the second time ever. The petition can be found on the official UK Parliament website, and it closes on December 19, 2026. Created by Mr Andrew Haddock, the petition launched last week and so far has 555 signatures, at the time of writing. If the petition gets 10,000 signatures, the government will respond to it. If it gets 100,000 signatures, it will be considered for debate in Parliament. The petition reads: "Introduce a legally binding maximum working temperature of 25C for all workplaces, covering both indoor and outdoor jobs. Currently, there is an advisory minimum temperature in statutory guidance but no upper limit. We want the Government to change this by introducing a strict 25C maximum cap. "Currently, there is statutory guidance on a minimum working temperature, but there is no legal maximum cap, leaving staff vulnerable to extreme heat. We want the Government to set a strict limit of 25C for both indoor and outdoor work. "When temperatures hit 25C, employers must legally provide cooling measures or pause work. The law must also enforce lower thresholds for more physical roles. Under the Health and Safety at Work Act, we believe 'reasonable comfort' is not clear enough, and enforceable limits are needed to protect everyone." How hot will it be in the UK this week? The UK is preparing for unprecedented temperatures, with school closures and warnings to avoid travelling as weather alerts are now in effect. On Wednesday and Thursday, temperatures might reach 40C in certain areas of England and Wales due to a "heat-dome" that has settled over western Europe, causing extreme weather across the continent. The Met Office has issued a rare red weather warning for severe heat. It covers a region from London to Swansea and from Somerset to Birmingham, effective from 9am on Wednesday until 9pm on Thursday. A Met Office red weather warning for extreme heat covering parts of England and Wales has come into force for just the second time, as temperatures could reach close to 40C. The agency’s spokesman Grahame Madge said: "It is important to remember that the temperature value is only one element of this extreme heatwave story. The other major factor is the high humidity, which for many will make the intense heat even harder to endure." During the hottest part of the heatwave on these two days, temperatures could approach the UK's record high of 40.3C, recorded in Lincolnshire in July 2022. This latest heatwave is also predicted to exceed the June record of 35.6C, which was set in Hampshire back in 1976. What are your rights to work in hot weather? In the UK, there isn't a legal maximum temperature that defines when it becomes "too hot to work." However, according to the Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992, employers are legally required to ensure that indoor workplace temperatures are kept at a "reasonable" level. Heat is recognised as a workplace hazard, which means employers need to manage and reduce it like any other safety issue. The specific legal rights, protections, and responsibilities related to working in extreme heat can vary based on the work environment and the individual. Since what is considered "reasonable comfort" can vary greatly depending on the type of business (such as an office versus a commercial bakery), there isn't a universal maximum temperature set by law. But the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) and organisations like Acas suggest that employers should take practical measures if the heat leads to discomfort, such as providing clean, fresh air, free drinking water, air conditioning, relaxing the dress code, and flexible shifts.