Workers face rising risks from extreme heat as legislation lags

Millions of UK workers could soon be exposed to dangerously high temperatures, according to a report published by the Autonomy Institute.

The report, Extreme Heat: The New Deal for Working People, authored by Phil Jones, Will Stronge, and Luiz Garcia, warned that by the end of this decade, two-thirds of the UK labour force may be working in extreme heat events exceeding 35°C.

Drawing on UK Met Office and IPCC climate models, the report outlined how worsening climate conditions, if unmitigated, will expose over 99% of the UK workforce to extreme heatwaves by the late 21st century.

In a high-emissions scenario, by 2050, up to 27.1 million workers could be at risk, with six million acutely exposed to extreme heat due to the nature of their work.

Despite these forecasts, the UK currently lacks statutory maximum workplace temperature limits.

Existing regulations only recommend minimum temperatures but set no enforceable upper thresholds.

In contrast, countries like Spain, Cyprus, and the UAE have legislated maximum temperatures, with others such as the US and Greece introducing temporary or proposed protections in response to recent heatwaves.

Health consequences of extreme heat at work include heatstroke, kidney and cardiovascular disorders, and increased risk of workplace accidents.

Long-term exposure may lead to chronic health issues. Productivity also declines as temperatures rise, compounding the economic costs of inaction.

The report called for a comprehensive policy response, including a legal maximum working temperature of 27°C for strenuous work, provision of shaded or climate-controlled shelter, mandatory breaks, potential work stoppages during extreme heat, and consideration of night shifts in exceptional cases.

Although the Labour Party’s pre-election platform acknowledged the dangers of excessive workplace heat, no specific measures were included in the 2024 Employment Rights Bill.

The report urged urgent legislative reform to avoid avoidable harm as extreme heat becomes a regular feature of the UK’s summer climate.