Heatwave: What's the maximum temperature a workplace can be?

The UK has just enjoyed a glorious bank holiday - with temperatures reaching as high as 28.7°C, it may have felt more like Spain than our usually gloomy isle.

But being back in the office in such beautiful weather can be uncomfortable, or even dangerous if the temperature gets too high. So, what does the law say about hot weather and work?

Surprisingly, there’s no maximum temperature your workplace can be. While the Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992 state that ‘During working hours, the temperature in all workplaces inside buildings shall be reasonable,’ but it doesn’t state what ‘reasonable’ means.

The Chartered Institute of Building Services Engineers recommends a medium temperature of 16°C for factories, 18°C for hospitals, and 20°C for offices – but don’t forget factors such as ventilation, clothing and humidity can also affect how hot someone feels.