“Intolerable” conditions

As the UK prepares for its third heatwave this summer, there is some welcome relief for London bus drivers.

Following a video going viral of Transport for London commissioner Andy Lord making comments at a City Hall meeting and suggesting that bus drivers in the capital can “refuse to take a bus into service” if it is too hot, Unite has welcomed the clarity for members from the comments.

The London Evening Standard reported that, at a London Assembly meeting on transport last week, Mr Lord said: “We have been explicit: If any of the air cooling or air conditioning, depending on the model of the bus, is not serviceable, the bus should not be taken into service.

“The driver has a responsibility as well – to refuse to take the bus into service.”

Unite’s London and Eastern Region released a statement on London Bus temperatures following Mr Lord’s comments, which said, “Recent comment made by the Transport for London Commissioner regarding air cooling and air-conditioning on buses has been widely circulated on social media.

“While Unite the union already had robust policies and agreements in place with the operating companies – ensuring no driver should be expected to drive if they feel too hot – we welcome the Commissioner’s remarks.

“His comments help to clarify the position for our members when faced with buses that lack functioning air cooling or air conditioning systems

“Until further guidance is issued we want to reassure all members that we do expect any individual driver to be penalised for following the advice given.”

A report on BBC London on 1st July 2025 spoke to drivers, whose cabs were approaching 40 degrees C, making work “intolerable” and also potentially dangerous.

The comments from the commissioner highlight an issue that Unite has been campaigning around for some time – that there must be the introduction of a maximum working temperature and that workers need clarity during a heatwave, like this weekend’s, become more common. 

Earlier this year Unite national health and safety adviser Rob Miguel reiterated the union position: “Unite is pressing for a maximum temperature for safe working of 27 degrees Celsius for strenuous jobs and 30 degrees Celsius for sedentary jobs.

“As the climate changes, it is vital that health and safety law is updated in line with the serious challenges this presents for workers. We urge the government to get a move on with this so that there can be no ambiguities in the workplace. 

Unite’s “Temperature at Work” Health and Safety guidance for workplace reps is available here and particularly useful in the current heatwave.

Next week Unite is encouraging health and safety reps to get involved with a TUC week of action around workplace temperatures.

By Keith Hatch