We’ve had record-breaking high temperatures this summer, and the chill of winter is starting to make itself known. Businesses must adapt to the more extreme weather to ensure healthy working conditions for all staff. So what are you legally entitled to, and how can you advocate for yourself to ensure long-term thermal comfort at your workplace?

Legal temperatures

Employers have a legal obligation to provide a ‘reasonable’ temperature, but there’s no legal minimum or maximum (Workplace HSW Regulations 1992). The Approved Code of Practice suggests 16 degrees Celsius (or 13 degrees, if the work involves rigorous physical effort).

Also, the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations (1999) require employers to have a health and safety risk assessment, and workplace temperature is one of the potential hazards that employers must address to meet legal obligations.

If the temperature of your workplace is negatively affecting your health, or compromising your ability to work, make sure to report it to your management, union or other workplace representative.

Ideas to stay warm

If it is too cold, work together to find sustainable, long-term solutions. Some ideas to keep the workplace warmer are:

• Providing adequate workplace heating (eg ensuring temperatures are high enough, or providing portable heaters),
• Designing processes that minimise exposure to the cold (eg keeping office spaces out of the basement or moving desks closer to heat sources),
• Reducing draughts through the building,
• Insulating floor coverings,
• Ensuring breaks to enable employees to warm up (eg getting hot drinks),
• Relaxing formal dress codes or providing appropriate protective clothing, or
• Introducing formal systems to limit exposure (eg flexible working patterns or working from home).

Make sure that you stay warm and healthy this winter!

If you want more information on Health and Safety policies, or the requirements for your business, contact us at info@bivika.com.