HSE to Consult on Workplace Heat Rules as UK Swelters
Published on 08/17/2026 at 17:07 | Redaktion boerse-global.de
The UK Health and Safety Executive (HSE) is preparing to launch a formal consultation in 2026 on revisions to workplace temperature provisions — though officials have already moved to temper expectations of a strict legal maximum. Rick Brunt, an HSE official, recently noted that a universal cap on indoor working temperatures might be impractical across diverse industries.
The announcement comes as the UK experiences its fifth heatwave of the summer. Temperatures reached 38.1°C at Kew Gardens earlier in August, in a year that has already seen 40 days above 30°C. Southern England recorded its warmest July on record, while the country overall marked its second-warmest.
Pressure Mounts for Specific Heat Thresholds
The consultation on the Approved Code of Practice follows mounting pressure from labour organisations and safety advocates. The Heat Strike campaign has called for a legal indoor limit of 30°C, with a lower threshold of 27°C for strenuous work. The union Unite has similarly advocated for a 27°C maximum for physically demanding labour.
Proponents point to the health and safety risks of extreme heat. Research in Québec indicates that workplace injury risks rise by 0.2% for every 1°C increase in temperature.
As the debate over heat thresholds intensifies, employers face growing pressure to document how they manage workplace risks. A free Risk Assessment Toolkit provides 41 ready-to-use templates and checklists to help you stay ahead of evolving H&S expectations. Download the free Risk Assessment Toolkit
The Climate Change Committee has proposed an indoor target range of 16°C to 26°C to be achieved by 2040. Currently, around 90% of hospital buildings in England are considered vulnerable to overheating, and recent conditions led to the closure of roughly 300 schools across Somerset, Gloucestershire and Buckinghamshire.
International Shifts and Economic Impact
While the UK evaluates its next steps, other nations are moving forward with specific thermal standards. Poland has introduced regulations effective January 11, 2027, setting maximum workplace temperatures at 35°C indoors and 32°C for strenuous outdoor work. Polish employers must take action once temperatures exceed 28°C — or 25°C for strenuous activity.
In North America, Canada is preparing to implement federal thermal-stress rules in 2027. Advocates cite enforcement successes in California, where specific heat regulations are credited with reducing heat-related fatalities.
The economic consequences are becoming more pronounced. Last summer, extreme heat resulted in €43bn of lost output across Europe, yet only €500m of those losses were covered by insurance.
The hospitality sector has been particularly affected, with 80% of businesses in Padua reporting turnover declines of approximately 20% during heat events. Market analysts now expect the parametric insurance market to reach €6.8bn by 2031.
Related Domestic Legal Requirements
The focus on temperature management coincides with other regulatory updates in the UK. Starting November 30, 2026, the second phase of Awaab's Law will include heat networks, requiring social landlords to address significant hazards related to excess heat and cold. This affects a significant portion of the 453,000 households connected to heat networks in England and Wales.
With new regulatory duties arriving across the UK, ensuring your business meets its legal obligations has never been more important. A free Health & Safety Toolkit offers ready-to-use risk assessments and checklists covering key regulations like the Health & Safety at Work Act and COSHH — trusted by over 37,000 UK companies. Get the free Health & Safety Toolkit
The broader Employment Rights Act 2025 will also introduce changes beginning in late 2026 and early 2027. These include new requirements for employers to prevent sexual harassment effective October 30, 2026, and a reduction in the unfair dismissal qualifying period to six months from January 1, 2027.
While cooler conditions and rain are forecast to follow the recent dry spell — which saw towns like Wisley go 60 days without rainfall — the HSE consultation in 2026 will serve as the primary forum for debating how the UK workforce should be protected from future extreme heat events.
