Maximum Working Heat

This applies to the UK

There is no maximum working temperature laid down by law, but the Health & Safety At Work Act demands that the temperature in workplaces inside buildings must be ‘reasonable’. The Offices, Shops & Railway Premises Act also obliges employers to maintain a ‘reasonable’ temperature. Both acts specify that a sufficient number of thermometers must be provided so that the temperature may be measured.

The accepted zone of thermal comfort for most kinds of work lies between 16º-24º C.

The Chartered Institute of Building Services Engineers recommends that the temperature in offices and banks should be around 20º C. The World Health Organisation recommends a maximum working temperature of 24º C.

The Approved Code of Practice to the Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992 states that "all reasonable steps should be taken to achieve a comfortable temperature".

This code suggests insulating hot pipes and equipment, providing air cooling plants, shading windows, siting workstations away from hot areas and using fans to increase ventilation. It also suggests rest breaks, cool drinks and limiting the amount of time spent in particularly hot areas.

It is also possible for employers to hire portable air conditioning equipment if heat is excessive.

You don’t have a legal right to walk out if your office is too hot (unless there is a serious and imminent danger to health).

However, you do have a right to demand that your employer takes urgent action to deal with excessive heat and you should contact your Union Representative, Safety Representative or full-time Union Official if your management doesn’t take the matter seriously.