Green MP Hannah Spencer Proposes Maximum Workplace Temperature Legislation
Hannah Spencer, the Green Party MP who won a recent byelection, plans to introduce a bill in parliament aimed at establishing a maximum workplace temperature in the UK. This initiative comes as the country faces increasingly frequent and intense heatwaves.
If enacted, the proposed law would establish an independent body responsible for recommending safe maximum workplace temperatures and outlining how these recommendations should be implemented across various industries.
Calls for Regulation Amid Rising Heat
Campaigners and trade unions have criticized the current UK health and safety framework for addressing minimum workplace temperatures but lacking any regulations on maximum temperatures, despite the growing impact of climate change on summer heat levels.
Unison and the Trades Union Congress (TUC) have advocated for a maximum indoor work temperature of 30°C, with a lower threshold of 27°C for strenuous work activities.
Spencer Highlights Unsafe Conditions for Workers
Spencer, who previously worked as a plumber before her election in February, has emphasized the unfair and hazardous conditions tradespeople endure during heatwaves.
"From bus and train drivers sweltering in cabins that are hotter than the soaring temperatures outside and bakers working in temperatures of over 40 degrees, to builders whose workplaces offer no respite from the heat, the government has a duty to protect all of us," she said.
She recounted a constituent's experience:
"I had one constituent contact me about the appalling conditions he faced laying tarmac on roads in Gorton and Denton in temperatures he called unbearable."
Spencer described the absence of maximum temperature guidance as "absurd":
"This is something workers and trade unions have been raising the alarm about for many years – it shouldn’t have taken this long to act, but the unsafe temperatures we’re seeing now should be a huge wake-up call.
We’ve seen absolute chaos as a result of these recent temperatures, and such a massive human cost, yet we haven’t heard a peep from government about how they plan to protect us all."
She urged the government to consider models from countries like Spain, where maximum temperatures are enforced based on the type of work, and where workers can adjust their hours during heatwaves to avoid the hottest parts of the day.
Cross-Party Support and Bill Backers
Spencer’s bill is anticipated to receive support across party lines. It will be backed by left-wing Labour MPs Rebecca Long-Bailey, Alex Sobel, and Nadia Whittome, as well as Graham Leadbitter from the Scottish National Party, Liz Saville Roberts from Plaid Cymru, and independent MP Jeremy Corbyn.
Health and Safety Executive's Position
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has stated that imposing maximum workplace temperatures is challenging because excessive heat can result from workplace activities themselves, such as ovens in bakeries, rather than solely from ambient weather conditions.
Currently, there is no legal minimum temperature requirement, but the HSE’s code of practice recommends a minimum of 16°C (61°F), or 13°C for strenuous work.
Recent Recommendations and Government Response
In May, the Advisory Committee on Work and Health, which advises the government, recommended establishing maximum work temperature regulations to address the increasing risks high temperatures pose to workers’ safety and to encourage the implementation of necessary cooling measures.
The committee did not specify a particular temperature threshold, and ministers have yet to publish an official response.
However, the government has announced that the HSE will launch a public consultation this year to gather views on updating its official guidance, which may include setting temperature thresholds.
Record-Breaking Temperatures and Climate Context
This year, temperatures in the UK have exceeded 34°C on nine occasions, surpassing the previous record of seven days set in 1976 and 2020. Additionally, there have been six separate days with temperatures of 35°C or higher for the first time.
Experts note that such extreme heat would have been impossible without the burning of fossil fuels, which drives the climate crisis.
Forecasters predict that the scorching conditions experienced across much of England and Wales will persist until at least Wednesday.
