What temperature can you refuse to work in an office?

What temperature can you refuse to work in an office?

Minimum workplace temperature The Approved Code of Practice suggests the minimum temperature in a workplace should normally be at least 16 degrees Celsius. If the work involves rigorous physical effort, the temperature should be at least 13 degrees Celsius.

Can I go home if my office is too cold?

There is actually no upper or lower legal limit for the temperature in an office environment, but the Health and Safety Executive states employers are legally obliged to keep the indoor temperature comfortable.

What temperature is too cold for an office?

The Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OSHA) recommends employers maintain workplace temperatures in the range of 68-76 degrees Fahrenheit and keep humidity in the range of 20 to 60%. Most consider 70 to 73 as ideal for the office, but the Cornell study found temperatures as high as 77 to be optimal.

Can I refuse to work if my workplace is too cold?

How cold does it have to be to not work? While there is no specific law stating what temperature it should be for it to be too cold to work, but the Workplace (Health and Safety Welfare) Regulations 1992 state that working conditions should be kept at a ‘reasonable’ temperature.

What’s the law about working in a cold office?

Indeed, office temperature is a critical issue for employers and employees alike. So what exactly are the legal issues surrounding an uncomfortably cold workplace? The Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations of 1992, state that ‘ [d]uring working hours,the temperature in all workplaces inside buildings shall be reasonable.’

Is it safe to work in a cold environment?

HSE does not have specific guidance for working in cold environments where temperatures are below 13°C. In such situations you will likely be complying with the law if you work in accordance with British/European Standards but you can demonstrate compliance by alternative means.

Is it too cold in an office building?

Metabolic rates vary more between individuals than between sexes, he said. However, one thing that van Marken Lichtenbelt and Olesen can agree on is that office buildings are kept too cold. The ASHRAE standards recommend that indoor temperatures stay between 73 and 79 degrees in summer.

How to deal with cold weather in the workplace?

Provide suitable protective equipment to deal with harsh temperatures. Reduce draughts. Introduce alternative working patterns such as flexible working to minimise employee exposure to a cold workplace. Provide enough breaks for workers to make hot drinks and/or spend time in heated areas.