Get clued up on how to keep yourself and fellow Equity members safe and ensure no one works in unsafe, unreasonably hot temperatures.
Equity members are increasingly exposed to dangerous levels of heat at work during heatwaves for which our buildings and infrastructure are not designed. It’s time to get organised against working in unsafe, unreasonably hot temperatures.
Health and Safety Legislation does not state any maximum indoor or outdoor temperatures for work - but the law classifies heat as a hazard. This means there are legal obligations to assess heat as a risk whether working indoors or outdoors.
1. Take part in the HeatStrike week of action, 14-20 July
For Summer 2025, Equity is participating in the HeatStrike week of action coordinated by the TUC, Heat Strike and the Hazards Campaign. Between 14 - 20 July, we are asking Equity members to record their workplace temperatures and use our heat mitigation checklist to make sure venues are suitably adapted for high heat.
2. Use our heat mitigation checklist
Use our heat mitigation checklist to organise for changes to sets, stages and venues, so we can keep temperatures down.
3. Use our 10 step advice to stay safer during a heatwave
Follow these 10 steps to stay safer in a heatwave while at work.
4. Register for Equity Deputies training
Register for Equity Deputies training so that you can organise the workforce on your production and collectively call on management to mitigate the impact of working in hot weather.
Order a thermometer
Take part in the HeatStrike week of action, 14-20 July
2025 is hotting up, and we have already experienced our second heatwave of the year. The Government has no plan to tackle the climate crisis, and workers in overheating workplaces are at risk.
As part of the HeatStrike week of action coordinated with the TUC, we’re asking members to measure temperatures where they’re working on every day they're working during the Week of Action (14-20 July) and use our heatwave checklist to organise for temporary changes or ‘heat mitigations’ to sets, stages and venues.
You can get prepared for this by:
- Requesting an Equity workplace thermometer through the form above.
- Record your workplace temperature by completing our checklist and using the suggestions to request temporary heat mitigations from your engager.
The best first step to get started is to speak to your Equity Deputy and other cast and crew members about making collective requests for changes. Make sure everyone knows by downloading the 'Too Hot to Work' poster for your workplace below.
