The Climate Change Committee (CCC) has highlighted a need for the Government to introduce maximum temperature rules for workplaces to help protect workers’ health. Pointing to international examples, it did not set a figure but urged the measure as part of climate change adaptation.
In their recent report, “A Well-Adapted UK’, the CCC insisted that the government must legislate maximum temperature regulations for workplaces to mitigate the risk to workers posed by high temperatures. They argue that the impact of global warming is already causing extremely high temperatures and that a statutory maximum working temperature would incentivise businesses to invest in effective cooling mechanisms.
Likewise, the General, Municipal, Boilermakers’ (GMB) Union advocate for a statutory maximum working temperature, in line with rising temperatures due to climate change, to mitigate the impact of extreme temperatures on workers’ health and productivity.
The Union claims that a maximum working temperature will ensure that health and safety guidelines are adhered to in all workplaces but agreed with the NFB that a larger window within which builders are able to work (e.g. Early mornings or late evenings) needs consideration.
The NFB highlighted that health and safety is always on an employers’ mind, but practical adoption of such a policy is more complex than has been suggested.
Rico Wojtulewicz, Head of Policy and Market Insight at the NFB, said:
“A one size fits all policy for maximum working temperatures is not practicable and as with minimum temperatures, should be led by risk assessment. Moreover, nations which have implemented such policies only do so via guidance, while also using work intensity, humidity and exposure at metrics.
In construction, any loss of working hours would need to be made up elsewhere, therefore the Control of Pollution Act would need to be changed so that construction works and deliveries can operate earlier and later in the day, including at weekends.
There are also concerns regarding who makes the decision, as almost half of industry is self-employed and not working means not getting paid.”
Richard Beresford, Chief Executive of the National Federation of Builders (NFB), said:
“A worker’s health and safety are paramount and therefore any heat related working practices should be set via guidelines and as part of Risk Assessments. This is the practice taken by other nations.”
See: NFB Media Interview | Statutory Maximum Working Temperature
