Need to know: call for legal maximum working temperature amid UK heatwave
A petition calling for a legally enforceable maximum working temperature of 25C has been launched as Britain faces its third heatwave of the year. It comes not long after the UK endured record-breaking temperatures in June.
The petition, established by Andrew Haddock, has garnered 5,919 signatures as of Thursday (July 9) and remains open until December 2026. It needs 10,000 signatures for a government response and 100,000 to be considered for parliamentary debate.
The petition states: "Introduce a legally binding maximum working temperature of 25C for all workplaces, covering both indoor and outdoor jobs." It argues that current regulations only specify minimum temperatures, leaving workers vulnerable to extreme heat.
The Met Office is tracking a prolonged period of hot, settled weather that is driving temperatures into the mid-30s across many areas. Amber and yellow heat health alerts have been issued by the UK Health Security Agency, with temperatures forecast to reach highs of 35C or 36C.
Deputy Chief Forecaster Tom Crabtree said: "Many people will understandably want to know how long the current heatwave is likely to last. While temperatures are expected to ease across southeast England through the weekend and into next week, it won't be a straightforward end to the warm weather."
Currently, there is no legal maximum temperature determining when conditions become "too hot to work" in the UK. Employers are only required to maintain "reasonable" indoor workplace temperatures under existing regulations.
