Is there a law stating the maximum temp a person is allowed to work in?

joolsmc

Employers have a legal duty under the Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992 (WHSW Regs 1992) to: maintain a â€˜reasonableâ€™ temperature in the workplace.

Regulation 7 of the Workplace regs states:

1. During working hours, the temperature in all workplaces inside buildings shall be reasonable.

2. A method of heating or cooling shall not be used which results in the escape into the workplace of fumes, gas or vapour of such character and to such an extent that they are likely to be injurious or offensive to any person.

3. A sufficient number of thermometers shall be provided to enable persons at work to determine the temperature in any workplace inside the building.

It has been recognised by most experts that the comfort zone is normally in the region of 16 degrees C to 24 degrees C and it has been recommended to the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) that the maximum temperature inside the workplace should be 25 degrees C. Once temperatures climb above this, heat exhaustion starts. The TUC has called for an absolute maximum of 30 degrees C unless the work is of a heavy nature, then a maximum of 27 degrees C should be in force.

Joe Kool

There's a minimum but no maximum.

dave u

yes 13 weeks then you should be given a temp or a full time contract

bluebell

Yes - combined with Health and Safety Laws. If you are employed to work in an enviroment which suffocates then your employer could end up before the trubunal if you are able to prove the temperature at work caused you a specified illness.

maria

there is no specific minimum but under health & safety law your employer must maintain a 'reasonable temperature'
there's some really good advice on the site below...
if you're in a union talk to your health & safety rep, if you're not then join!
good luck
m x

There is NO maximum temperature for a person working indoors or outdoors.

There is ONLY a MINIMUM temperature for those working indoors, which is 16C within one hour of starting work.

Tufty Porcupine

As peopla have said there is no maximum stated in law - although the figures joolsmc gives are useful. You could approach your employer with this information and request a risk assessment (they are required by law to conduct one). I would put a request in writing/e-mail form expresseing concerns about how your health could be affected in extremely warm weather and noting the recommendations that joolsmc refers to. In my experience yo tend to get employers acting very quickly to written requests for risk assessments and references to health & safety concerns.
If you are in a union get your health & safety rep/steward to do this.

Helen A

There is a minimum temp but no maximum. However, employers are obliged to provide you with a safe working environment and a safe system of work. If the temperature in the room is so high and/ or poorly ventilated then that is clearly not a safe environment and you are entitled to complain. The best way to do this to prevent more than just the room becoming heated is to write this information down in the form of a Grievance, stating how the environment you are working in has made you feel and stating that you expect the matter to be sorted out promptly. If your employer fails to sort this out even after being informed by you in writing then a breach of the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 is pretty good grounds to resign and claim contstructive dismissal. I would hope that the matter would be sorted out long before it gets to this especially as it concerns health and safety. Good Luck and email me if you don't get any joy

Adamu Beldam

You know just like I know that there are labour laws that charge employers to provide adequate and condusive atmosphere, as well as hiegenic working conditioins. No hamane employer will ignore the health and safety of his/her workers. If your employer did not do something, contact your lawyer, who is in a better position to give you legal advice on the labour legislation of your country.

Hector S

there is a miniumum but no max - why?? I dont know its mad

Blue Kitten

At present in the UK, there is no maximum working temperature, although there is a minimum.

The TUC are trying to bring in law to correct this: see http://www.thestandardworker.org/archive_files/maximum_temperatures.htm

You might want to try contacting the TUC to see how they're doing and at least get some evidence to suggest to your employer that they take some kind of action.

Alternatively, you could get your doctor to sign you off work for heat exhaustion until they do something.

imagirl

Yes

Jabberbox

I don't know for sure but check with OSHA (occupational safety and health administration). They may have something on line so you could e-mail them.

If nothing else what about buying a stand fan and using it.

Tommy-Marie

I don't know but there needs to be. I work in a kitchen with stoves, grills and heat lamps and the air conditioner has been broken for what seems like forever.

scottie

There is a recommended Minimuim Temperture exposure and a Maximuim Temperature exposure, these are dictated like this because it can become dangerous for employees being exposed to extreme temperatures

Check this website for further details:

www.ccohs.ca/oshanswers/phys_agents/ho...

Hope its some help

Scottie

hani

I don't know about the UK, but in Saudi Arabia it is 50C

Robin M

i also work in the heat baking cooking it is so hot i cant stand it i don't think there are any laws in the US don't know about UK

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