Government urged to legislate on maximum working temperature amid third heatwave

Pressure on the UK government to set a maximum working temperature is mounting as a third heatwave hits Britain, with ministers now apparently considering legislation for the first time.

In the last week of June 2026, over 1,500 people took part in a Heat Strike. They set up Cool Stations to hand out water and health advice in town centres from Exeter to York. Strikers held symbolic lunchtime-walk-outs in solidarity with those in extreme heat, and took thermometers into work to demonstrate how hot and unsafe it was.

Workers take the initiative over maximum working temperature

In London, bus drivers removed themselves from unsafe workplaces. And a group in Brighton including union members and climate activists unfurled a twenty-three metre banner from Brighton Pier reading “Heat Strike Now”.

Moa Pårup of the Heat Strike campaign said:

While parts of the media insisted on using ‘fun in the sun’ photos to illustrate their articles about the heat wave, workers, older people and disabled people were under life-threatening pressure. We wanted to create a visual reminder that the heat is not cool – and that we need to act together.

This week the Heat Strike campaign is continuing to share heatwave workplace safety advice put together by the campaigners. And hundreds of new people are signing up to say they will join Heat Strike next time we see unprecedented and dangerous temperatures.

Since 2023, the campaign has been building solidarity between trade unions including the Bakers, Food and Allied Workers Union, the Fire Brigades Union, and Equity. All have passed motions to support the Heat Strike campaign alongside climate justice groups including Greenpeace, War on Want, and Extinction Rebellion.

Extreme temperatures have caused more than a thousand excess deaths across Europe so far. During this summer of heat, the coalition hopes to continue to raise the profile of a maximum working temperature. It’s a demand the Bakers Union has been asking for for over a decade.

They are calling on ministers to adopt not only the advice of workers but the government’s own advisors who have also called for a maximum working temperature. Many countries, including Austria, Belgium, China, India, Portugal and Spain already regulate maximum working temperatures in law.

Over the summer, Heat Strike campaigners will set up cool stations to promote the campaign and share advice, sign petitions and contact MPs. In the event extreme temperatures are predicted again, another national Heat Strike will be called.

Hygiene operative Robbie Woodland, president of the Kernow branch of the Bakers, Food and Allied Workers Union, said:

We’ve been calling for a maximum workplace temperature for over a decade as bakers regularly see extreme temperatures at work. It’s great to finally see people listening. Last week colleagues shared photos of work stations well over 40 degrees, way above safe temperatures.

Now heatwaves are becoming more frequent and extreme, it’s not just about bakeries anymore. This affects all of us. The government must set a maximum workplace temperature. Till then, Heat Strike will continue to tell them to Cool It!

Featured image via Heat Strike / Léo Bodelle