Autonomy Institute Report finds 2/3rds of UK labour force could be working in extreme heatwaves by end of 2020s
Their report outlines how the climate crisis is set to make extreme heat a growing problem for the UK workforce
Autonomy, a think tank dedicated to creating data-driven tools and policy to strengthen democracy and build the future economy, has produced a report analysing the growing threat to the health and safety of workers that extreme heat represents. They found that in a ‘worse-case scenario’, more than 99% of workers across the UK labour force will very likely experience working in an extreme heat even during the final quarter of the 21st century.
The report outlines how the climate crisis is set to make extreme heat a growing problem for the UK workforce in the coming decades, and proposes a series of policy recommendations to help adapt workplaces and protect workers in line with the urgency required.
Crucially, the report shows that despite the rising risks, UK legislation currently does not specify any minimum or maximum temperatures for the workplace.
They are calling for a comprehensive package of policy measures for the UK Government to tackle the challenge of extreme heat in the workplace – including following TUC guidance on setting a temperature threshold at which all work must stop and all workers must cease activity.
Key findings:
• Autonomy analysis finds that approximately two-thirds of the UK labour force could find themselves working in extreme heatwaves above 35C by the end of the 2020s.
• In a ‘worst-case’ scenario, more than 99% of workers across the UK labour force will very likely experience working in an extreme heat event during the final quarter of the 21st century.
• Despite these rising risks, the UK legislation currently does not specify any minimum or maximum temperatures for the workplace.
• Minimum temperatures for indoor workers in an ‘approved code of practice’ are 13C for strenuous work and 16C generally. However, guidance mentions no upper limit and employers are not legally bound to comply with these specific temperatures – merely to ensure workplace temperature is set at a ‘comfortable’ level.
• Internationally, many other states do have statutory guidelines for maximum working temperatures, such as the United Arab Emirates, Spain and Cyprus.
• In addition, owing to recent extreme weather events, countries such as Greece and the United States have either enacted temporary maximum temperature measures, or have drafted new policies to mitigate excessive heat in the workplace.
• The report outlines a comprehensive package of policy measures for the UK Government to tackle the imminent challenge of extreme heat in the workplace:
Establish a threshold – Set a temperature threshold at which all work must stop and all workers must cease activity. Following TUC guidance, the proposed threshold for this ‘adverse working temperature’ is 27C.
Offer means for shelter – Employers should be obliged to adapt their workplace environments so that there are proper spaces of shelter to shield workers from the worst effects of high heat such as direct sunlight.
Provide regular breaks – Breaks offer respite from extreme heat, giving workers an opportunity to rest and regulate their body temperature. In particular, outdoor workers need regular shelter in the shade.
Allow for work stoppages – Day long or multi-day work stoppages may need to be introduced to deal with protracted periods of extreme heat, not least because the health impacts on workers during these events are cumulative.
Consider night work – Given the risks associated with night work, stoppages and breaks should be preferred. However, there may be exceptional circumstances in which night work may be unavoidable.
The report comes out as the TUC has launched the campaign for a workplace temperatures week of action, offering union health and safety reps the tools to inspect their workplace temperatures.
They are inviting trade union members and campaigners to:
-
Register for the webinar on 18 June where we’ll be talking through the week of action!
-
Sign the petition calling for a maximum working temperature.
Related news
Working in high temperatures: what the law says & what union reps can do for a cooler, safer workplace
The TUC welcomes the Secretary General of the United Nations (UN) call for greater protections for workers from extreme heat.
