Anyone who has experienced a frosty winter morning at work or a humid summer afternoon will know how much temperature can affect comfort, concentration and one’s general mood. A workplace that is too hot or too cold can quickly become unpleasant and, in some situations, unsafe. With our climate often changing from one extreme to the other in the space of a week, employers need to be prepared. Understanding workplace temperature guidelines is an essential part of ensuring a safe, productive and comfortable working environment.
What Is the Minimum Working Temperature
A common question from both employers and employees is whether there is a legally enforced minimum or maximum workplace temperature. The short answer is no. The law requires that temperatures be reasonable, but it does not specify exact figures. Instead, the Workplace Health, Safety and Welfare Regulations place a general duty on employers to ensure that indoor temperatures are comfortable and safe.
To help employers understand what reasonable might look like, the Health and Safety Executive’s Approved Code of Practice suggests that most indoor workplaces should be kept at a minimum of 16 degrees Celsius. For work that involves intense physical activity, a suggested minimum of 13 degrees Celsius is offered. These are guidelines rather than legal requirements, designed to help employers identify when conditions may be unsuitable.
Thermal comfort depends on more than temperature alone. Clothing, humidity, air movement and the nature of the work being carried out all influence how comfortable people feel. The same temperature will feel very different to someone doing manual labour compared with someone working at a computer. Outdoor workers have an added challenge because their working environment cannot be controlled directly, so the focus shifts to planning, monitoring conditions and providing suitable protective measures.
How to Ensure a Safe Working Temperature
When temperatures rise or fall sharply, employers should take reasonable steps to protect their workforce. Small changes can make a significant difference to comfort and safety.
In hot weather, employers can help by allowing lighter or more comfortable clothing, ensuring cool drinking water is always available, providing fans or improving ventilation, encouraging regular breaks and scheduling the most strenuous work for cooler parts of the day. Shade, whether natural or created, is important for outdoor workers.
Cold weather requires a different approach. Warm rest areas, hot drinks and suitable protective clothing help maintain comfort and reduce the risk of cold stress. Employees who work in cold rooms or unheated areas may need frequent warm up breaks. Heating systems should be checked regularly to ensure they are functioning effectively and are able to cope with sudden drops in temperature.
Taking these steps not only helps keep employees comfortable but also supports productivity. When people are preoccupied with feeling too hot or too cold, their ability to concentrate declines and the risk of mistakes increases.
Keeping Workplace Temperature Consistent
While occasional discomfort is inevitable, significant or sustained temperature fluctuations can quickly become a safety concern. Excessive heat can lead to dehydration, heat stress, headaches and reduced mental clarity. Some individuals may experience dizziness or confusion. Cold temperatures can cause stiff joints, reduced mobility, poor concentration and slower reaction times. Cold stress, though less frequently discussed, can occur in prolonged low temperature environments.
These conditions can increase the likelihood of accidents. Employees who are physically uncomfortable might take shortcuts, lose focus or be slower to respond in
general. Ensuring a stable and comfortable working temperature is therefore an important part of maintaining overall workplace safety.
The Health and Safety Executive’s thermal comfort guidance provides useful advice for employers on identifying temperature related risks and implementing suitable controls.
Industry Specific Temperature Considerations
As you can imagine, different industries face different challenges when it comes to temperature management. What is suitable for an office environment may be entirely inappropriate for a farm, factory or construction site.
Construction and outdoor work are heavily influenced by weather conditions. Direct sunlight, wind chill, rain and the physical nature of construction work all affect comfort and safety. Heat stress is a significant concern during summer months, while wet and windy conditions can make winter working hazardous.
Agricultural workers may face high humidity, hot working environments such as greenhouses or prolonged exposure to cold weather. Many tasks are physically demanding, which increases the body’s heat load and can make high temperatures more challenging.
In manufacturing and warehousing, localised hot and cold spots are common. Machinery, ovens and engines may radiate heat, while large unheated buildings or refrigeration units can expose staff to persistent low temperatures.
Office and retail environments typically allow for better temperature control, but issues can still arise. Large windows, ageing heating systems and busy indoor spaces can create pockets of discomfort.
Understanding the specific needs and risks associated with each industry helps employers tailor their approach and maintain safe working conditions.
Employer Responsibilities
Employers must take reasonable and proportionate steps to ensure that workplace temperatures remain safe. This begins with a risk assessment, which should identify temperature-related hazards and determine the controls needed to protect employees. A risk assessment is particularly important where environmental conditions are extreme, where the work is physically demanding or where specialist equipment generates heat or cold. Read our article on conducting risk assessments for guidance.
The Health and Safety Executive also offers a workplace temperature checklist which can help employers monitor conditions and decide whether additional measures are required.
Training plays a key role in ensuring managers and supervisors understand how to identify and control environmental risks. The IOSH Managing Safely Certificate teaches participants how to assess and manage hazards effectively, including those related to temperature.
Employee Responsibilities
Employees also have a part to play in maintaining safe working temperatures. They should report any issues with heating, cooling or ventilation, raise concerns if they experience symptoms of thermal discomfort, wear appropriate clothing and personal protective equipment and follow any temperature related safety procedures. Staying hydrated and taking breaks when needed, particularly in hot weather, are really simple steps that can significantly reduce risk.
Good communication between employees and management ensures that concerns are addressed promptly and potential issues are identified before they develop into safety risks.
Final Thoughts
Although there is no legal minimum or maximum workplace temperature, employers are responsible for maintaining conditions that are safe, comfortable and suitable for the work being carried out. By following Health and Safety Executive guidance, completing risk assessments and responding proactively to changes in temperature, employers can protect the health and wellbeing of their workforce.
As weather patterns become more varied and extreme, now is an ideal time to review temperature management practices and ensure your team is equipped to respond effectively. To deepen your understanding of workplace responsibilities and learn how to manage environmental conditions with confidence, explore RRC’s full range of health and safety courses.
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