What is the Legal Working Temperature?

Keeping your office at the right temperature is an important consideration for any employer. Not just because of productivity and morale, but also to ensure you meet the legal requirements for working temperatures.

Read on as we list the maximum and minimum working temperatures for offices and other work environments.

Minimum temperature for offices & more

You can get a good idea of the recommended minimum office temperature by reading the Approved Code of Practice from the Health and Safety Executive. Based on the Workplace Regulations for Health, Safety and Welfare (1992) it states a minimum of 16ºC.

However, if employees are doing work requiring rigorous physical effort, this changes to 13ºC. That could include factories or warehouses where staff are constantly moving around and lifting heavy items, for example.

It’s worth noting that the minimum temperature for offices and other environments is not a legal requirement. Instead, employers have a duty to maintain a temperature that provides “reasonable comfort”.

What about the maximum working temperature?

While a recommended minimum temperature is clearly stated in the Approved Code of Practice, there is no mention of a figure for the legal maximum working temperature. That’s because places with higher temperatures – such as glass works or industrial kitchens – generally have to consider factors other than air temperature, including radiant temperature, humidity and flow.

However, there are various figures cited in a report by Unison which can provide a useful guide for employers. The World Health Organisation recommends 24°C as the maximum temperature. Unison and the TUC call for an absolute maximum of 30°C or 27°C for strenuous work. Finally, the Chartered Institute of Building Services Engineers suggests that sedentary work may be performed with reasonable comfort up to around 24°C.

How to maintain a comfortable working temperature

Constant exposure to a cold environment can lead to various issues because of limited blood supply to the limbs, not to mention an increased risk of accidents from numb fingers. On the other hand, too much heat at work can cause tiredness, muscle cramps, and (again) a higher risk of accidents due to lower concentration levels.

With that in mind, it’s well worth sticking to the minimum and maximum working temperatures outlined above. To meet the minimum working temperature, you’ll need an effective heating system with a fully functioning commercial boiler. On the other hand, if your working environment is getting too hot, air conditioning can keep you below the maximum working temperature.

As touched upon earlier, radiant temperature, humidity and flow are also key factors for some working environments. In these instances, it’s important that the right ventilation is in place to assist with temperature control and improve air flow.

Need a hand?

If you’re looking to maintain a comfortable working temperature at your site in Leeds or Harrogate, COA Services can help. We provide specialist installation, maintenance and repair services for commercial boilers, air conditioning and ventilation for companies of all shapes and sizes.

With our one-stop shop for temperature control, you can keep your workplace at the right working temperature all year round – in the most energy efficient way possible. To talk more about your requirements, give us a call on 01423 408 336 or email [email protected].