Sales of air conditioners have soared with the temperature

Unions Demand Max. Temp.

The present law sets out a minimum of 16°C (61°F) in offices and 13°C (55°F) in areas where people do strenuous work - but there is no top limit.

Fans provide some relief

The weather - traditionally always a talking point in Britain - has become a daily cause of complaint for those not on holiday.

The country is well on course for the hottest August since records began in 1659, with temperatures in the upper-20s.

There have been 14 days in a row above 27°C (81°F). The hottest place so far was Northolt, west London, at 32°C (90°F) - hardly competing with Mecca, where it is in the 40s, but unusually hot for Middlesex.

Owen Tudor: safety issue

The TUC's Health and Safety Officer, Owen Tudor, says a number of things can be done to reduce heat in the workplace.

"In a bakery obviously heat is part of the job, but if you're working in an office there's no particular reason why it needs to be hot.

"Fans are one way of doing it, air conditioning is another. But there are also simpler things, just like rest breaks, making sure there's an adequate water supply, all that sort of thing."