With the country experiencing a deep January chill and Storm Goretti approaching, it’s a good moment to remind everyone about managing workplace temperatures and protecting staff from the effects of cold conditions.
While there isn’t a specific legal minimum indoor temperature, the law does require employers to provide a reasonable working environment, including temperature, as part of their health and safety duties. According to HSE guidance, an indoor working temperature should normally be at least 16°C, or 13°C if the work involves vigorous physical effort. But what matters most is assessing and managing the risks to people’s health and safety as the weather bites.
Under the Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations and the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations, employers must assess temperature-related risks and put control measures in place where needed.
Depending on the work and environment, these may include:
Providing adequate heating in indoor work areas
Insulating or shielding particularly cold work areas
Offering warm breaks and access to hot drinks
Adjusting work patterns or tasks during periods of extreme cold
Providing appropriate PPE, especially for outdoor or cold-environment work
It’s also important to consider individuals with particular needs, such as those with certain health conditions or anyone working outdoors, who may be affected by cold conditions.
Cold isn’t just uncomfortable – it can affect focus, manual dexterity and wellbeing. Encouraging staff to speak up if temperatures feel unsafe or uncomfortable, and acting quickly where concerns are raised, will help ensure the workplace remains a healthy and productive environment as the mercury drops.
And remember – temperature controls should form part of a company’s overall risk assessment, rather than being treated as a stand-alone issue.
For more guidance on what employers should consider when managing workplace temperatures and protecting staff, visit the HSE’s Temperature in the Workplace web page.
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