Is there a legal indoor working temperature?

 

7/7/25, 9:52 AM
Is there a legal indoor working temperature?
Vulnerable workers: identify susceptible employees such as the young, old, disabled, pregnant or those
on medication, and any additional procedures or resources required.

How to control temperature and humidity
Employers are not legally obliged to provide air conditioning in workplaces. They are expected to provide
reasonable temperatures and a sufficient quantity of fresh or purified air.

Ventilation should be used to combat high temperatures and high humidity. Suitable ventilation can take the
form of air conditioning and, to a lesser extent, mobile air-conditioning units and fans. Blinds or curtains can
be used to block out sunlight. Solar control window film can be used to reduce solar heat gain and can also
combat intense glare. If employers use air conditioning, they need to ensure that the system is regularly
serviced and checked to ensure it is working at optimal levels at all times. Badly functioning air conditioning
can lead to increased rather than lower temperatures and can also dry out the work environment, causing
throat irritation and problems for workers who wear contact lenses.

• During periods of high summer-time temperature, workers should take regular breaks. In hot weather
  employers should consider arranging for workers to rotate their jobs.
  An indoor heat stress prevention plan
  An indoor heat stress prevention plan should be developed to handle indoor heat. It should include the
  following.
• Hydration: employees should be encouraged to keep hydrated to avoid overheating and heat stress.
  Employers should provide cool water supplies in the workplace and encourage employees to drink regularly.
  They should advise employees to drink water rather than tea or coffee, both during working hours and at
  home.
  Information: if it is necessary for workers have to work in high temperatures they should be educated about
  the symptoms of heat-related illnesses and the proactive measures they can take to protect themselves.
  Clothing: wearing too much clothing may prevent the loss of heat from the body. This can occur when
  employers have a dress code in the workplace, eg a uniform to communicate a corporate image. In hot
  weather it is important to assess whether the clothing has an adverse effect on thermal comfort and whether
  there is a case for relaxing the dress code by allowing workers to wear more casual clothing or by supplying
  the workers with comfortable, lightweight clothing.

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