UK 'should enforce maximum temperature for workplaces during heatwaves', say experts

The Climate Change Committee (CCC) has called for the UK government to introduce a legally binding maximum workplace temperature to safeguard workers during heatwaves. Baroness Brown, chair of the CCC’s Adaptation Committee, described the UK’s infrastructure as outdated for its current climate and warned that productivity declines sharply in extreme heat, increasing accident risks. She criticized governments for neglecting climate adaptation, despite evidence like Spain’s 27°C (sedentary work) and 25°C (light physical work) limits. Last year marked Britain’s warmest on record, with droughts and low water levels worsening nationwide. The Met Office reported four of the UK’s last five years rank among the five warmest, signaling rapid climate shifts. A heatwave is expected soon, with temperatures exceeding 30°C across 21 counties, according to WXCharts and MetDesk data. The CCC’s recommendation follows a report by the Autonomy Institute, which found two-thirds of UK workers could face temperatures above 35°C by 2030. Currently, no legal or official temperature guidelines exist for workplaces, leaving six million employees—particularly in construction and agriculture—vulnerable. The government has pledged to review the CCC’s advice, while Labour’s Environment Secretary Emma Reynolds emphasized the need for science-driven action to address flooding, extreme heat, and drought. Baroness Brown stressed the urgency of protecting British lifestyles from climate threats, calling the issue ‘not rocket science’ but a matter of political prioritization. The CCC’s proposal aligns with broader warnings about the UK’s unpreparedness for rising temperatures, despite record-breaking summers in recent years.