The workplace health, safety and welfare regulations 1992 require the temperature in most working environments to be at least 16ºC unless much of the work involves severe physical effort in which case the temperature should be at least 13ºC.
These temperatures may not, however, ensure reasonable comfort, depending on other factors such as air movement and relative humidity.
There is no set maximum temperature. The regulations merely require that "during working hours, the temperature in all workplaces inside buildings shall be reasonable". The regulations also require that thermometers should be provided to enable persons at work to determine the temperature within the workplace.
The approved code of practice goes on to state that "the temperature in workrooms (a room where people normally work for more than short periods) should provide reasonable comfort without the need for special clothing. Where such a temperature is impractical because of hot or cold processes or the design of the building, all reasonable steps should be taken to achieve a temperature which is as close as possible to comfortable", for example:
- insulating hot plants or pipes
- keeping chilled areas as small as possible or pre-chilling products
- providing air-cooling plant
- shading windows
- sitting workstations away from places subject to radiant heat
Where a reasonably comfortable temperature cannot be achieved throughout a workroom, local heating or cooling should be provided. In extremely hot weather increased ventilation may be used instead of local cooling. Fans can also be used but should be considered as a last resort.
Where necessary mechanical ventilation i.e. air conditioning systems should be provided for parts or all of the workplace as appropriate. However these systems should be regularly cleaned, tested and maintained to ensure that they are kept in good working order, clean and free from anything which may contaminate the air.
In cold weather, if it is not possible to take such steps as above, the employer should consider other measures such as providing local heating for employees, excluding draughts, or other cleanable floor covering to isolate workers from cold floors.
If a reasonable temperature is still not achievable, then the employer should provide protective clothing and heated rest facilities, and set up systems of work to minimise the length of time of exposure to uncomfortable temperatures, for example, rotation of tasks to enable workers to go to heated areas.
