{
  "id": 839203,
  "title": "Builders, bakers and cheeseburger-makers: the UK workers struggling in extreme heat",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/14/builders-bakers-and-cheeseburger-makers-the-uk-workers-struggling-in",
  "topic": "business",
  "section": "Business",
  "published": "2026-08-14T05:00:19.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Guardian Business",
    "slug": "guardian-business",
    "url": "https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/aug/14/uk-workers-struggling-in-extreme-heat"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Builders, bakers, and cheeseburger-makers are among the UK workers struggling with extreme heat. In the sweltering kitchen of the Plimsoll pub in north London, head chef Joshua Swinney uses a frozen tea towel to combat the heat. To cope, the pub serves more dishes that don't require ovens or stoves, but this is challenging due to its popularity for cheeseburgers. Fans help, but they can't be used in the service kitchen. Swinney has seen kitchen staff cool down by taking ice baths or other methods. Bakers, construction workers, bus drivers, paramedics, and teachers all say heatwaves pose significant dangers. Unions are pushing for a maximum working temperature to bring England in line with European standards. Spain sets the gold standard, with a maximum of 27C for sedentary work and 25C for light physical work. In Belgium, it's 29C for light physical work, 26C for moderately heavy physical work, 22C for heavy physical work, and 18C for very heavy physical work. Construction workers like Kenny Dinsdale highlight the risks of working in extreme heat, including dehydration, heat stroke, and death. Construction workers, particularly the older workforce, are more vulnerable. Bakers face challenges due to their hot ovens and small, unventilated spaces. Sarah Woolley, a union representative, has called for a maximum working temperature for years, suggesting employers implement additional measures like relaxed uniform policies, cold water, and additional breaks. Paramedics, including one in Birmingham, struggle with the heat while working long hours and with limited uniform options. London paramedics find their uniforms unbearable when the heat is unbearable. Unison's head of policy, Sampson Low, calls for evidence-based thresholds for extreme heat, particularly for public sector workers. Bus drivers have been frustrated with the greenhouse-like conditions in their cabs during heatwaves, with some striking to protest their conditions. Trade Union Congress health and safety lead, Huma Haq, supports maximum workplace temperatures and urges employers to take action to reduce temperatures when they exceed 24C and stop work at 30C for strenuous jobs. Workers across various industries are uniting to demand cooler and safer workplaces.",
  "summary": "From chefs to paramedics, workers tell the Guardian how they are coping and unions outline the changes needed in the workplace In the sweltering kitchen of the Plimsoll pub in north London, the head chef, Joshua Swinney, has a frozen tea towel wrapped around his neck to combat the heat. As temperatures exceeded 35C (95F) in the capital, workers who were not lucky enough to be in air-conditioned…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}