A petition has been launched to appeal for statutory maximum temperatures in the workplace.

Facilities Management World reported on the case of Ben Baldwin, a bakery worker and Union of Shop, Distributive and Allied Workers (Usdaw) member who has posted an e-petition on Downing Street’s website.

Mr Baldwin has so far collected 157 signatures from people supporting his appeal and Fm-world.co.uk reported that employees will be able to sign the petition up until October 2009.

A spokesperson from the Usdaw said: “It is union policy to push for a statutory maximum. Research clearly shows that if temperatures exceed 25 degrees centigrade it is dangerous for workers. There is a risk of heat stroke and fatigue, and the number of accidents also increases.”

The website reported that while there is an enforceable minimum temperature of 16 degrees centigrade, there was no maximum limit.

A spokesperson from the Health and Safety Executive told Fmworld.co.uk that “the government takes the issue very seriously”.

Regulation seven of the workplace (health, safety and welfare) regulations 1992 states that “during working hours, the temperature in all workplaces inside buildings shall be reasonable”.

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