Green MP Hannah Spencer is introducing a bill in parliament to establish maximum workplace temperatures and create an independent regulatory body [1].
The proposal addresses the growing risk to employee health as the UK faces increasingly frequent heatwaves [1]. Without legal limits, workers in various sectors remain vulnerable to heat-related illnesses and unsafe environments during extreme weather events.
Spencer said that heatwaves are causing “absolute chaos” [1]. She said that workers need protection from unsafe conditions [1]. The legislation would move beyond current guidelines by mandating specific temperature ceilings that employers must maintain to ensure safety.
Under the proposed bill, the government would create an independent body to recommend maximum safe workplace temperatures [1]. This body would be responsible for reviewing scientific data, and adjusting limits based on evolving health standards and climate patterns.
The bill seeks to standardize protections across different industries. By codifying these limits into law, the measure would provide a legal basis for workers to request modifications or cease work when temperatures exceed the established safety thresholds [1].
Spencer said the move is necessary to ensure that the workforce is not left exposed to dangerous heat levels [1]. The legislation arrives as climate trends continue to push summer temperatures to record highs across the region.
““heatwaves are causing ‘absolute chaos’””
This legislation represents a shift from voluntary health and safety guidance to mandatory legal requirements. By creating an independent body to set temperature limits, the UK would establish a dynamic regulatory framework that can adapt to rising global temperatures, potentially setting a precedent for other nations facing similar climate-driven labor challenges.
