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In the UK, there is no specific legal limit defining when temperatures are too hot or too cold to work. However, the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) provides guidance for employers under health and safety laws that mandates maintaining a “comfortable” temperature within the workplace and ensuring a supply of clean, fresh air. These general guidelines emphasize the importance of creating a safe and suitable working environment.
According to advice from Acas, workers are generally expected to adhere to their contracts and collaborate with their employers to find ways to work safely, except in extreme cases. Niall Mackenzie, the chief executive of Acas, explains that closing a workplace or preventing travel to work due to heat should only happen as a last resort in very exceptional situations. He also stresses that such decisions must be communicated clearly and well in advance, urging employers to show flexibility and consider easing certain workplace rules when possible.
Concerns about workplace temperatures are growing, particularly with the increase in heatwaves linked to climate change. Recently, the Climate Change Committee (CCC) recommended that the UK establish a maximum temperature standard for workplaces to help protect employees from heat-related risks. On the other end of the spectrum, during cold conditions, the HSE specifies that indoor workplaces should typically maintain a minimum temperature of 16°C, or 13°C if the job requires intense physical activity.
Legal experts note that employees may have limited grounds to refuse work during extreme heat if they feel their health is seriously threatened. Michelle Last from Keystone Law highlights that this is likely to be a rare scenario. She also points out that workers with disabilities affected by hot conditions could request reasonable adjustments, such as access to a fan or the option to work remotely. For employees concerned about heat, she recommends discussing the issue with line managers, while cautioning that, barring exceptional circumstances, most workers need to manage and continue with their duties despite the temperature
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