Temperatures across the UK hit 34 degrees Celsius over the May bank holiday weekend, prompting millions of workers heading into offices, construction sites, and warehouses to ask: do they have to be there?
The short answer is that workers do have legal protections, but the rules are less straightforward than many assume. According to reports, there is currently no maximum workplace temperature written into UK law. This means employers cannot be fined simply because the thermometer reads a high number.
What Does the Law Say?
The Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992 set the minimum indoor working temperature at 16 degrees Celsius for most jobs and 13 degrees Celsius for roles involving heavy physical activity. Beyond that, the law takes a different approach.
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) classifies heat as a workplace hazard and states it "comes with legal obligations like any other hazard." This means employers must assess the risk that high temperatures pose to their staff and take reasonable action to reduce it. Workers who feel the heat in their workplace is unreasonable are within their rights to raise the issue directly with their employer or contact the HSE.
John Rowe, HSE's deputy director, emphasized employers have a clear duty to act. "It is vital employers are aware of their responsibility to ensure their indoor workplaces are at a reasonable temperature. All workers have a right to a safe working environment and their employers should discuss working arrangements with them," he said.
Outdoor Workers and Additional Protections
For workers on building sites and outdoor locations, the rules go further. The Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015 require that employers take sufficient steps to keep site temperatures reasonable. Where work is outdoors, employers must provide protection against extreme heat through shade or appropriate clothing.
In summary, while there is no specific maximum temperature limit, employers have a legal duty to manage heat as a hazard. Workers should report concerns to their employer or the HSE if they believe the heat poses a risk to their health and safety.
