The Department for Work and Pensions today gave a new update about plans which could see the rules changes about an ‘upper temperature’ limit for the workplace. The UK is set to be hit by soaring temeperatures from Wednesday - with some expected to climb as high as 35C in some area, the Met Office has said.

Parts of southern England could see temperature highs of about 33C on Wednesday and 34C on Thursday, with the highest readings of 35C forecast for isolated areas on Friday and Saturday. By the weekend, the warm air is forecast to reach northern parts of the UK, and conditions are set to become increasingly humid, with a growing risk of showers or isolated thunderstorms.

The new norm of 35C plus in the UK has led to some calls for an upper workplace limit for heat for health reasons, as exists in many countries. MPs have submitted parliamentary written questions to the DWP on the issue with Labour’s Dr Peter Prinsley asking the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions Pat McFadden: “If he will make an assessment of the potential merits of a mandated upper temperature limit in the work place, including those working outside.”

Alex Mayer also asked Mr McFadden: “What assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of heatwaves on workers in outdoor and high-temperature workplaces.”

In reply Sir Stephen Timms said that the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) was considering changes to the rules in this area - with news coming later this year. He said: “The HSE is Great Britain’s national regulator for workplace health and safety. There is a legal duty for employers to fully assess the risks to workers from extreme heat.

“HSE provides guidance for employers to manage the risk to workers, including from extreme heat. HSE issued a press release (opens in a new tab)on Friday 19 June to raise awareness of the risks to workers, to help workplaces in the current hot weather. This year, HSE will also be launching a public consultation on proposed changes to the Approved Code of Practice for the Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992, including those relating to workplace temperature.”

The HSE during last month’s heatwave gave an indication of its stance when it told employers to ‘act now’ to protect workers as temperatures soared. It said employers have to plan for and support those working in extreme heat. The regulator says doing so will keep workers healthy and safe while also maintaining productivity.

The HSE said employers must assess risks to the health and safety of their workers by law, including risks from extreme weather such as heatwaves. While there is no legal maximum temperature for workplaces, heat is classed as a hazard and should be treated like other hazards.

John Rowe, Deputy Director for Technical Support and Engagement for the Health and Safety Executive, said: “Last summer should have been a wake-up call for all employers. If we continue to experience hotter summers this could have a big impact on the workforce of this country, affecting everything from health of workers to productivity on construction sites.

“The risks to workers from extreme heat must be properly assessed. Practical steps can include providing adequate ventilation and shade and allowing enough breaks for workers to cool down. We provide detailed guidance on our website hse.gov.uk.

“We know all employers are under pressure and we don’t want to add to their burden but it’s vital they think hard now about simple and cheap measures they can put in place to support workers should we see extreme heat again this summer.”