Heating down in workplace

smiley girl

Hi guys, I'm posting this for a friend whose not on boards..ie and am hoping you can help.
If your workplace cannot provide heat, if the heating is down, are you expected to stay and work in this cold?

Riskymove

H&S law requires a certain temperature

try googling it or contact the HSA


EDIT:

Is there a maximum temperature for an office?
This is covered by Guidance Section 7 of new General Application Regulations 2007.
There is no maximum temperature stated under the regulations but as a guideline a minimum comfortable working temperature for indoor sedentary workers is 17.5 degrees centigrade. In extremely hot weather conditions, measures such as for example, the provisions of fans, provision of cold water dispensers and regular water breaks for staff, the relaxation of formal dress codes, the introduction of flexible working patterns etc., can assist in maintaining comfortable working conditions.

In addition, each enclosed workplace must be adequately ventilated. In most cases the natural ventilation provided through windows and doors will be adequate. However in some cases forced ventilation may be required.
See the Guide to the 2007 General Application Regulations for details.

Windows, skylights and glass partitions in offices must be so arranged as to prevent the excessive build up of temperature at workstations from excessive sunlight.

http://www.hsa.ie/eng/FAQs/Workplace_Conditions/

seamus

smiley girl wrote: »

If your workplace cannot provide heat, if the heating is down, are you expected to stay and work in this cold?

It would depend on just how cold the workplace is. If it's below 14C, I would say that health and safety come into play. The employer has a legal responsibilty to ensure the safety of their employees. And excessively cold workplace would require clothing and other equipment in order to satisfy these requirements.

One aspect of the regulations requires that employers are responsible for:
"(f) providing and maintaining facilities and arrangements for the welfare of his or her employees at work;"

You could argue that heating falls under this, and by failing to provide/maintain heating during freezing weather, the employer is in breach.

smiley girl

Thanks so much for your help Riskymove, very much appreciated.
And Seamus, thank you also

jimmmy

seamus wrote: »

It would depend on just how cold the workplace is. If it's below 14C, I would say that health and safety come into play. The employer has a legal responsibilty to ensure the safety of their employees.

I would say hundreds of thousands of people often work in conditions less than 14 degrees c .... warehouse people, farmers, vets, postmen, outdoor people, contractors etc.

Otis Driftwood

TBH Id prefer the cold to the heat.Our heating is on blast all day long and by mid afternoon it resembles a Turkish sauna for heat.Yuck.:mad: