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It doesn't happen often, let's face it, it's Cumbria after all... But when the sun does come out, your employees might ask: Is there a legal maximum temperature for working in hot temperatures? It's a common question, especially if you work outdoors, in factories, or in hot and stuffy offices.
In the UK, there’s no legal maximum temperature for workplaces. The law doesn’t give a fixed number where it’s “too hot to work.” Instead, it's employers who have a duty to keep conditions reasonable for staff, which includes managing heat.
Minimum temperatures are suggested (16 °C for normal work, 13 °C for physical work) but there’s no set upper limit. That doesn’t mean employers can ignore heat though. It means they have to think carefully about the risks and take action to minimise them.
If working in hot temperatures is making people feel unwell, dizzy, dehydrated, or unable to focus, employers really need to do something about it. They’re required by law to assess risks and reduce them as much as possible.
Practical steps can include:
This is especially important for outdoor work in strong, hot sun, where heat and UV exposure can cause real health risks.
The legal answer is, it’s too hot to work when conditions have become unsafe. Employers must assess the risks to staff of working in hot temperatures and control them. If they can’t reduce the risks to a safe level, they need to change the work or even stop it altogether.
The law is designed to keep people healthy, not to set one rule for every workplace. If you’re worried about working in hot temperatures, speak to your manager or health and safety rep. They've got a legal responsibility to listen and make sure you’re safe, whatever the weather.
For more workplace tips, advice and insights, read our other blogs - and don't forget to follow us on Facebook...
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