Is It Too Cold to Work? Minimum Workplace Temperature

As the weather turns, the same question comes up in offices, shops, warehouses and on building sites: is it too cold to work here? Many people believe there is a set temperature below which you can go home. There isn't. But that does not mean your employer can leave you shivering.

This post sets out what the law actually says about cold at work, where the 16°C figure comes from, and what employers are expected to do, indoors and outdoors.

What the law says

In England, Wales and Scotland, the rule is in regulation 7 of the Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992. It says: "During working hours, the temperature in all workplaces inside buildings shall be reasonable."

The same regulation says workplaces must be properly insulated where needed, given the type of work. It also says there must be enough thermometers for people at work to check the temperature inside a building. And heating must not give off harmful fumes into the workplace.

GOV.UK puts it simply: "There's no law for minimum or maximum working temperatures, for example when it's too cold or too hot to work."

Where 16°C and 13°C come from

These figures are not in the regulations themselves. They come from HSE's Approved Code of Practice that goes with the regulations (known as L24).

HSE says the minimum temperature for working indoors should normally be at least:

• 16°C, or
• 13°C if much of the work involves rigorous physical effort

An Approved Code of Practice is not the law itself. But it shows what HSE expects employers to do to meet the law. So a workplace well below 16°C, for desk work, is a fair reason to raise a concern.

What employers should do

HSE says temperature is one of the risks an employer should assess, "whether the work is being done indoors or outdoors". Employers should talk to workers or their representatives about the best ways to cope with high or low temperatures.

For cold workplaces, HSE lists practical steps such as:

• heating, such as portable heaters, so work areas are warm enough when people are using them
• insulating floor coverings or special footwear for people standing on cold floors for long periods
• cutting draughts while keeping enough fresh air
• suitable protective clothing for the cold
• enough breaks for hot drinks or to warm up in heated areas
• flexible working patterns or job rotation to limit time in the cold

HSE also says employers may need to put health surveillance or medical screening in place if workers report illnesses that may be linked to workplace temperatures. It names workers who are pregnant or who have illnesses or disabilities.

Working outdoors

There is no legal minimum temperature for outdoor work. HSE says the weather "can have a serious impact on worker's health if the risks have not been properly managed".

For cold outdoor work, HSE suggests employers:

• make sure the protective equipment they issue is right for the conditions
• provide mobile facilities to warm up, and soup or hot drinks
• bring in more frequent rest breaks
• think about delaying the work to warmer times of year, without compromising safety
• make sure workers can spot early signs of cold stress

On outdoor construction sites, HSE says employers must provide protection from bad weather, and site rest areas must be kept at an appropriate temperature.

What you can do if it's too cold

GOV.UK says employees should talk to their employer if the workplace temperature is not comfortable. HSE suggests raising it with your manager, or your union or workplace rep if you have one.

If that does not fix it, HSE has an online form to report a workplace health and safety concern.

If you believe there is a serious and imminent danger, there are separate rules about leaving or refusing unsafe work. See our guides on refusing unsafe work in England, Wales and Scotland and refusing unsafe work in Northern Ireland.

Northern Ireland

Northern Ireland has its own regulations: the Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1993. Regulation 7 has the same rule: the temperature inside buildings during working hours "shall be reasonable".

HSENI (the Health and Safety Executive for Northern Ireland) says the temperature should normally be at least 16°C, or at least 13°C if the work requires physical effort. It says there is no legal minimum outdoor working temperature, so employers must rely on thermal risk assessments. Concerns in Northern Ireland go to HSENI, not HSE.

Sources: legislation.gov.uk (Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992, regulation 7; Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1993, regulation 7), GOV.UK (Workplace temperatures), HSE (Temperature in the workplace: What the law says; Managing workplace temperatures; Outdoor working; How workers can keep comfortable; Raise a concern; L24), HSENI (Temperature and Work; Common health and safety questions).