Health & Safety FAQ
Temperature Control
What are the maximum and minimum temperature restrictions
for a workplace?
There are no legally defined maximum or minimum temperatures.
However, the Approved Code of Practice for Workplace Health Safety
and Welfare Regulations 1992 suggest that the temperature in
workrooms should provide reasonable comfort without the need for
special clothing. 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.
The temperature in workrooms should normally be at least 16°C
unless much of the work involves pronounced physical effort, in
which case the temperature should be at least 13°C. These
temperatures may not, however, ensure reasonable comfort, depending
on other factors such as air movement and relative humidity.
There is no recommended maximum temperature. 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;
- positioning 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.
Employers should provide thermometers around the workplace to
allow employees to monitor workplace temperature.