Max temperature in an office

mikemac

I’m pretty sure this was raised in the past but my search turned up nothing.
Does anyone know if there is a maximum temperature for an office?

It’s currently 30 degrees celcius here and while I know it’s bitterly cold outside, it very uncomfortable in this office. I'd have thought around 20 degrees would be fine

The women in the office spend all day, every day bitching about the cold and I’m afraid to adjust the air coniditioning/ heating as I’ll be lynched!:eek:

Off-topic: Why is it always women who complain about it being too hot or too cold, etc? I never hear the lads complain

Red Alert

There's no maximum temperature allowable in Ireland since we've never really had that problem. The situation only improved in some department stores like Arnotts and Brown Thomas after threats of strike action by employees.

Are you seriously outnumbered in your office?

Spud83

Try raising it as an issue of energy efficency and global warming.

FutureGuy

The upper limit in an office environemt shouldn't be over 26-26.5, although by law, this cannot be enforced. There is a minimum temperature (16C) that can be enforced.

It's easier for them to put on extra clothes than for you to strip off. Ask for a fan to be placed at your desk. I know it's only blowing hot air around buy it'll be more comfortable.

aCA

I have a better idea, if you happen to have some nice looking ladies in your office. You could go for broke and up the temperature another 10 degrees, forcing them to strip down. I'm sure you'd somehow learn to cope with the increased temperature then.

mikemac

aCA wrote: »

I have a better idea, if you happen to have some nice looking ladies in your office. You could go for broke and up the temperature another 10 degrees, forcing them to strip down. I'm sure you'd somehow learn to cope with the increased temperature then.

I like your style of thinking
But 10 degrees higher and I'll be unconscious.

Badly outnumbered here but I'll turn the temperature down at lunch when they're gone.
I'm suprised there is no Health & Saftey limit on this

ioshmearse

There are no strict enforcable upper limits in Irish statutes.

As regards high temperatures try Canadian government limits which would amount to best practice here.

http://www.ccohs.ca/oshanswers/phys_agents/hot_cold.html#_1_3

At 30C Canadians work for 75% of the working day with the remainder spent in a rest room with drinking water. Depends on how strongly you or your colleagues want to persue this. Are you unionised?


Recent legislation repeated minimum what amount to previous HSA recommendations for sedentary work. Reg 7 of the 2007 General Application Regulations came into effect last Nov:

An employer shall ensure that—
(a) during working hours, the temperature in rooms containing workstations is
appropriate for human beings, having regard to the working methods being used and the physical demands placed on the employees,
(b) for sedentary office work, a minimum temperature of 17.5°C, so far as is reasonably practicable, is achieved and maintained at every workstation after the first hour’s work,

http://www.hsa.ie/eng/Legislation/Acts/Safety_Health_and_Welfare_at_Work/General_Application_Regulations_2007/General_Application_Regulations_2007_SI_2007_Unofficial_Copy.pdf

The employer has to do 'what is reasonably practicable' there is no absolute requirement to meet the 17.5 target. If they can afford to - then they have to. Risk must balance resources spent - are staff suffering? The HSA are there to give advice. As far as I know they will deal with phone calls anonymously so at least you should be able to get advice.

ioshmearse

Sorry I missed some of your points. You have just as much a right to be as comfortable as your colleagues. Cant find the exact statute.
Possible sexual discrimination case? I'm sure there's a solicitor out there who would love to set a precedence.

tk123

micmclo wrote: »

Off-topic: Why is it always women who complain about it being too hot or too cold, etc? I never hear the lads complain

Easy - girls care if they stink of BO while a lot of guys don't!

Anyhoos I kind of know how you feel - I have a thryoid problem but I'm freezing all the time so I just wear layers and my coat inside so as not to put anybody out. You could always from borrow that and tell your boss/hr that you have a medical condition that leaves you with an intolerance to the heat and you are finding it difficult to work. OR stop wearing deodorant and stink the office out so they turn it down. OR depending on how the A/C is set up - find the master controls so you can override the temps that people set in the office