What are the rules about working in hot kitchens? Could the new Labour government be set to change the rules? The Caterer investigates
Chefs across the country have faced a sticky few days with temperatures nearing 30°C in some parts of the country this week.
Unusually hot summers are becoming more common, with kitchen staff across the country continuing to work despite sweltering conditions.
The Trades Union Congress (TUC) has long called for stricter rules around working in hot weather, but no previous governments have acted.
However, Labour promised to tighten the rules around maximum working temperatures in its ‘Plan to Make Work Pay’ published ahead of the election.
But how hot is too hot to work? And what do employers need to do to make sure their staff remain safe? We took a look at the latest legal guidance and how the new government could change things.
After all, it isn’t truly summer in the kitchen until a chef has placed a temperature probe on their work surface to figure out just how hot the space is.
There is currently no law around minimum or maximum working temperatures in the UK.
However, government guidance says the temperature in all indoor workplaces must be “reasonable”.
Guidelines suggest employers create a minimum temperature of 16°C, or 13°C if staff are doing physical work, but there is no guidance around a maximum temperature limit.
Employers do, however, have a duty to keep the temperature at a comfortable level and provide clean and fresh air.
Employees should talk to their employer if the workplace temperature isn’t comfortable.
The new Labour government has promised an overhaul of workers’ rights and made direct reference to working temperatures in its New Deal set out ahead of the election.
The document states: “Labour recognises that in a number of sectors working temperatures are regularly unacceptably high, including for those working in strenuous and sedentary jobs, causing serious health and safety concerns.
“Labour will commit to modernising health and safety guidance with reference to extreme temperatures, preventative action and steps to ensure safety at work”.
The Trades Union Congress (TUC) has spent years calling for a change in the law.
It wants employers to be legally required to try and reduce the temperature if a workplace gets above 34°C and workers become uncomfortable.
The union body would also like ministers to introduce a new absolute maximum indoor temperature, set at 30°C (or 27°C for those doing strenuous jobs), to indicate when work must stop.
This would move Britain closer to standard practice in other countries like Spain and Germany that have maximum working temperatures enshrined in workers’ rights.
TUC General Secretary Paul Nowak said: “Our buildings, infrastructure, and laws were made for a different climate in a different century.
“Extreme heat is becoming the norm and we’re struggling to cope. We need to adapt – and that means improving the law, investing in resilience and delivering climate action.”
Heat is classed as a hazard and any risk to workers’ health and safety must be properly controlled.
Employers should carry out a risk assessment if any of their staff complain about hot temperatures, the workplace becomes much hotter during warm weather, or if there is a heat source – such as a kitchen – being used.
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) recommends several steps that can be taken when people are too hot.
Air circulation – this includes providing fans, air conditioning and adequate ventilation, as well as ensuring windows can be opened.
Adapting the workspace – the HSE suggests moving workstations away from direct sunlight or sources of heat where possible. Blinds or reflective film can be used on windows to reduce heat. Cold water dispensers should be provided.
Relaxing the rules - flexible working patterns, such as job rotation, could be used to stop teams overheating over a long period of time. The HSE says employees must be allowed enough breaks to get drinks or cool down. It also suggests relaxing any formal dress codes in hot weather.
Worker’s clothing - while appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) must be worn for tasks at hand, HSE guidelines recommend looking into breathable materials to help keep employees cool.
Talking and listening to staff – teams will have their own ideas about how best to cope with the excessive heat.