What is the maximum/minimum temperature in the workplace?

Health and safety Regulations do not set specific maximum and minimum temperatures for workplaces, but they state that for indoor workplaces:

'During working hours, the temperature in all workplaces inside buildings shall be reasonable'.

As a guide, the temperature in workrooms should normally be at least 16 degrees Celsius unless much of the work involves severe physical effort in which case the temperature should be at least 13 degrees Celsius. Where such a temperature is impractical because of hot or cold processes all reasonable steps should be taken to achieve a temperature which is as close as possible to comfortable.

Where the temperature in a workroom would otherwise be uncomfortably high, for example because of hot processes or the design of the building, all reasonable steps should be taken to achieve a reasonably comfortable temperature, for example by:

• insulating hot plants or pipes
• providing air-cooling plant
• shading windows
• siting workstations away from places subject to radiant heat

Where a reasonably comfortable temperature cannot be achieved throughout a workroom, local cooling should be provided. In extremely hot weather fans and increased ventilation may be used instead of local cooling.

Where, despite the provision of local cooling, workers are exposed to temperatures which do not give reasonable comfort, suitable protective clothing and rest facilities should be provided. Where practical there should be systems of work (for example, task rotation) to ensure that the length of time for which individual workers are exposed to uncomfortable temperatures is limited.

There is a lot of useful information on working temperature in the HSE 'Thermal comfort' microsite:

http://www.hse.gov.uk/temperature/thermal/index.htm

For more information and advice please contact us