Employers urged to be mindful of workplace temperatures amid hot weather

22 July 2022 by
Employers urged to be mindful of workplace temperatures amid hot weather

Unions have urged employers to be mindful of working conditions following a week of high temperatures.

Tuesday was the hottest day ever recorded in the UK and it is forecast to remain warm next week.

There is no legal maximum working temperature in the UK, but government guidance states employers must ensure the temperature in indoor workplaces is "reasonable".

Frances O'Grady, general secretary of the Trades Union Congress (TUC), said: "Working in sweltering conditions can be unbearable and dangerous.

"There is no law on maximum temperatures. But employers have a duty to keep the temperature at a comfortable level and provide fresh and clean air. And bosses must make sure workers are protected with regular breaks and lots of fluids."

The TUC has long called for a change in the law to require employers to reduce temperatures if they get above 24 degrees Celsius and to provide sun protection and water.

It also wants ministers to introduce a maximum indoor working temperature of 30 degrees Celsius, or 27 degrees Celsius for those doing strenuous jobs, to indicate when work should stop.

Trade union Unite Hospitality said it supported the TUC's campaign and urged employers to take hot weather "seriously".

Hospitality businesses across the UK adjusted trading hours and some temporarily closed this week to keep staff and customers cool.

When is it too hot to work in a kitchen?

Image: U2M Brand / Shutterstock

The Caterer Breakfast Briefing Email

Start the working day with The Caterer’s free breakfast briefing email

Sign Up and manage your preferences below

Check mark icon
Thank you

You have successfully signed up for the Caterer Breakfast Briefing Email and will hear from us soon!

Jacobs Media Group is honoured to be the recipient of the 2020 Queen's Award for Enterprise.

The highest official awards for UK businesses since being established by royal warrant in 1965. Read more.

close

Ad Blocker detected

We have noticed you are using an adblocker and – although we support freedom of choice – we would like to ask you to enable ads on our site. They are an important revenue source which supports free access of our website's content, especially during the COVID-19 crisis.

trade tracker pixel tracking