maximum office temperature?

Question

Hi, I work in an office where the temperature is now 36 degrees, and climbing. We have a mobile airconditioning unit that cuts out after 20 minutes, plus two very overworked fans. There are four staff in the office, including the boss who thinks it is highly hilarious that his staff are roasting in the heat, and is promising us that when it gets to 40 degrees, he'll buy us an ice-cream. I've been on the officical H&S site but can't find a'maximum office temperature'. I asked a manager in an adjoining building, and his answer was that, 'That is a P45 question'!!!! Does anybody know what the maximum temperature has to be in an office before workers can walk out? I can't stand this heat, it makes me feel faint and sick

36 degrees = 96.8

We don't have a union, H&S person is in hospital. It's a very small business, and boss thinks he's God

Answer 1

Cool question. Hot topic. It never occurred to me that I could make a legal complaint about this, but I'm a university researcher so I doubt we have rights... ;P Working in the same T in a building with only heaters, except in the labs where the machines have to be protected... Brought my own fan but it's simply blowing hot air.

So I did check what's in the net and I'll share them with you. Uhm... where are you? These are for the UK (I think the first was mentioned by one answerer): Workplace Regulation (1992) says T should be reasonable: http://www.hse.gov.uk/contact/faqs/temperature.htm
But the Trades Union Congress called for max T: http://www.tuc.org.uk/h_and_s/tuc-5385-f0.cfm
And calls for it again: http://out-law.com/page-5910

In CANADA there's no defined max T either: http://www.ccohs.ca/oshanswers/phys_agents/max_temp.html

A recommendation from the University of Minnesota (only US record I found, but I didn't look too long): http://www.dehs.umn.edu/iaq/maxtemp.html

BUT! This says that the WORLD HEALTH ORGANISATION recommends max T of 24°C/75°F!!! http://www.bfawu.org/health-temperature.htm

Ok, I guess that means time to go and sit around for the World Cup... Hope this helps (I know, it's still hot, maybe organise "(fruit)shake" sessions...).

Answer 2

Maximum Office Temperature

Answer 3

There isn't an actual max temperature, however the Health, Safety and Wefare Regulations 1992, Article 7 clearly state that a risk assessment must be made for workers who are working in areas of excessive heat.

This doesn't apply if you are working in an engineering environment or metal manufacture.

However if sufficient ventilation can not be obtained via a window, then you assess the area and the effect on those people working within the area.

Tell your boss that your quite happy to take this further, or look up the regulations, highlight article 7 and leave it on his desk.

Answer 4

Phew that's hot. I worked in a tiny office with 4 computers and a fax machine (overlooking the sewage works - very pleasant) and it would reach 90 degrees evey day in summer. We did some research and, unfortunately, we couldn't find a maximum temperature either. There are minimum temperatures set but no maximum. Looks like you're stuck with it I'm afraid. Take as many breaks outside as you can and drink plenty of water and complain (continually) to your boss. Good luck.

Answer 5

Hope this helps!

What are the statutory requirements for temperatures at work?
The Workplace (Health Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992, Regulation 7 states that, 'during working hours, the temperature in all workplaces inside buildings shall be reasonable'.

What do they mean by reasonable?
All reasonable steps should be taken to achieve a temperature, which, so far as practical, provides comfortable room temperatures for persons to work in. The Approved Code of Practice (ACOP) associated which this legislation suggests comfortable room temperatures in the workroom are at a level where there is no need for persons to wear special clothing. It states two minimum temperatures:

In workplaces where the working activity involves severe physical effort the minimum temperature should be at least 13° C (56° F). In all other workplaces the minimum temperature should normally be around 16°C (60°F). There is no specified maximum temperature in the Approved Code of Practice (ACOP).

In some workrooms it may be impractical to maintain a minimum temperature. For example, if you work near a window, work in a reception area, which is regularly opened to the outside, or work in areas that need to be refrigerated. In this incident minimum temperatures may need to be maintained at a higher level.

Reasonable temperatures will also be influenced/affected by other factors such as air movement, relative humidify, ventilation or seasonal weather conditions. Other measures may need to be taken by employers to ensure comfortable temperatures can be maintained and employers need to ensure that any measures introduced are both reasonable and practical for their needs.

A copy of the Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992 - Approved Code of Practice L24 is available from HSE Books, tel: [phone].

Answer 6

I don't know if there is a fixed max temperature, because it is very individual. Also, men work more comfortably at lower temperatures than women (the differences may be up to 3-4 degrees). BUT 40 centigrade is hot!

Answer 7

Now around 25-27 C is maximum in some offices in Tokyo, the weather is hot & humid during the summer. And recently some of the big cooperations' offices room temperature are around 27C in the summer because they care of global environmental issue.

p.s. Personally, I like 23C in maximum office temperature during the summer.

Answer 8

The is no maximum just a minimum.

You have lttle chocie other that to confront your boss. Other places I've worked at gave you extra breaks and free cold drinks when it got above 30 degrees so you are being treated badly.

He has a choice to make, sort it out or you go home poorly.

Answer 9

"There is no statutory maximum temperature, although under the Fuel and Electricity (Heating) (Control) (Amendment) Order 1980 it is not permitted to specifically use energy to create a temperature greater than 19°C. The general duties under Health and Safety at Work etc. Act '74 require employers to ensure that work environments do not become excessively hot to the point that employees' health and safety is adversely affected."

See the link below.

Answer 10

Not sure, spare a thought for us we have no air con. One girl has already gone as she is not well from the heat. Though think the boss is going to let us go soon. In South Africa it is 40 degrees


Just found this site have a look. No there isnt a law that stipulates a max temp can you believe it!!!!!!!

http://www.ccohs.ca/oshanswers/phys_agents/max_temp.html