What are the minimum workplace temperature regulations?

As the weather gets colder during winter, it is important to be familiar with workplace temperature regulations.

If you’re in construction or other trades such as roofing, you’ll know how incredibly cold it can get when working outside. When working on any job, there are laws and regulations around minimum workplace temperature.

In this article, we’ll look at the rules, guidelines and any exemptions that might apply.

What is workplace temperature law?

There is a set legal working temperature in the UK, which differs based on whether employees are doing physical work.

If people are working indoors, there is one recommended temperature, which is lowered by 3°C if people are predominantly active. As it stands, there is currently no maximum working temperature.

These are the two main workplace temperature regulations you need to be familiar with:

• Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations mean that employers have to provide a reasonable indoor temperature in the workplace
• Construction (Design and Management) Regulations also outline reasonable workplace temperatures for indoor areas of construction sites – when outdoors, employers must provide adequate protection from adverse weather

Both of these regulations do provide clear instructions that recommended temperatures depend on the work activity and environmental conditions. For example, rest facilities (such as toilets) must also be maintained at an appropriate temperature.

If you are unsure about any of the workplace temperature regulations, the Health and Safety Executive (the HSE) have put together some simple guidance.

What is the legal minimum temperature for a workplace?

Government guidelines say that the temperature for indoor working environments should be “reasonable”, with a suggested minimum of 16°C or 13°C when people are doing physical work.

There are naturally times when you might have to work below these legal workplace temperatures. Workplace temperature law outlines guidance for both indoor and outdoor working environments.

For example, if you’re going to fix someone’s boiler in winter, the house may be very cold indeed. As an employer, or sole-trader, it is worth getting to know the rules.

Alternatively, you might be working in a trade that is largely based outside, such as a bricklayer, roofer or landscape gardener. The HSE have put together guidelines specifically for outdoor working to help you stay in line with the legal working temperature for the UK.

Are there exemptions for tradespeople?

Simply put, no. Anyone working in the UK is bound by employment law. That means that every trade business needs to be in line with workplace temperature regulations.

Working in any trade means that there are occasionally times when you’re colder than is comfortable, or even within the legal guidelines. There are a number of ways this can be managed:

• Correct winter workwear and PPE
• More rest breaks
• Warm facilities for people to take them
• Delaying or rescheduling work if possible
• Make sure people are aware of the signs of cold stress.

It is worth noting that when working outdoors, the weather can have a serious impact on worker’s health.

If the risks are not properly managed, they can affect the work. In the same way not understanding fire door regulations can put staff at risk. This is why knowing about the minimum workplace temperature can help you manage customer expectations accordingly.

Some jobs in colder weather are essential. Emergency plumber jobs usually see an increase in searches on the Checkatrade website in December, for example.

However, with non-essential trade jobs, it could be worth rescheduling during particularly cold patches. It is one of the ways that as a tradesperson, you can stay in line with the legal workplace temperature.

How to complain about temperature at work

As there are so many variables when it comes to workplace temperature, there is no one set process to follow if the job requires being below the recommended minimum workplace temperature.

However, there are some things that you will need to consider.

• What are the circumstances? For example, if you need to fix a boiler to improve temperature in winter, a house will be colder
• Are people active? Minimum workplace temperature reduces if people are doing physical work such as trade jobs
• Who are the dutyholders? CDM regulations outline responsibilities for those responsible, especially in terms of risk assessment
• Has workwear been provided? Employers must provide adequate clothing for lower temperatures, such as hats, gloves, and coats
• Are there other facilities? On site, there should be warmer rooms provided with the right conditions giving a break from the cold
• Can the work be delayed? For example, if a customer has a hole in their roof, they can’t wait until spring to get it fixed, but some jobs need doing quicker

While there are no exemptions for workplace temperature regulations, there are other factors that need to be considered before any complaint is made.

Are there different roles to consider?

How to complain about temperature at work will very much depend on your role as well.

• Sole-trader
• Trade business owner
• Contractor
• Sub-contractor
• Employee
• Apprentice

Familiarising yourself with workplace temperature law is only part of the process. Other factors may be at work, so a complaint may not be possible.

While everyone would ideally work in the right environment for them, this is not always possible. When appropriate, speak to the customer, or your line manager, or principal contractor, and a resolution should be made available.

Why to prioritise work in cold weather

Even if the solution is extra breaks or more clothing, the wellbeing of workers should always take precedence over the job in hand. During winter, the weather does make it harder to balance between customer needs and following workplace temperature regulations.

However, there is usually a solution, and all steps should be taken to find solutions before a problem arises. Carrying out a workplace temperature risk assessment before starting a job will help identify potential issues and let you plan accordingly.

FAQs

What temperature can I refuse to work in?

Whether you are a contractor or employee, all tradespeople are covered by UK law. As a tradesperson, most of the work you do for customers will count as physical work, so the minimum workplace temperature is 13°C. Anything lower and you are within your rights to stop work until adequate measures have been put in place or appropriate clothing have been provided.

What is a workplace temperature risk assessment?

A risk assessment is required to be carried out for all work activities. Tradespeople and contractors face a number of risks, and that includes cold weather. Your risk assessment for a job should include a section on the factors that could adversely affect the working temperature.

What is the ideal office temperature in Celsius?

Whether you call it Celsius or Centigrade, the measure of temperature is the same scale. Everyone has a preferred temperature. Although the recommended minimum for indoor work is 16°C, studies indicate that the optimal warmth for working is around 20°C.