The weather is getting colder and many people are struggling to heat their homes. Although government assistance has helped, energy prices remain at an all-time high. The average annual household bill now stands at £2,500, an increase of more than 100% since last October.
This hasn’t just affected domestic energy costs. Commercial prices have also risen considerably, with the average business paying 45% more for its energy in the second quarter of 2022.
With prices so high, you are probably keen to keep energy consumption to a minimum. This is understandable, but taking it too far could mean that you are breaking the law around thermal comfort. Here’s our guide to the rules, and how you can strike the right balance this winter.
What is thermal comfort?
Thermal comfort is the extent to which employees feel comfortable with the temperature of their working environment. There are three main things that can affect this:
- External factors such as the temperature of the office and the amount of humidity in the air
- Personal factors such as clothing and health
- The amount of physical activity involved in the work
What does the law say about workplace temperatures?
Thermal comfort falls under the Health, Safety and Welfare Regulations 1992. These make it your duty to maintain a “reasonable temperature” in the workplace. It is up to you to decide what constitutes reasonable, but the HSE’s Approved Code of Practice suggests a minimum temperature of 16 degrees Celsius for normal work, or 13 degrees Celsius for strenuous work.
Thermal comfort is also covered by the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999. These require you to carry out a workplace risk assessment and take steps to mitigate any dangers. This is more likely to apply to very high temperatures, but an unusually cold workplace would also fall under this legislation.
Why is thermal comfort important?
In cases of extreme heat or cold, thermal comfort is a basic safety issue. It goes without saying that every employer has a duty to protect workers from burns, heat exhaustion and hypothermia.
But thermal comfort isn’t just for foundries and freezers. Maintaining a comfortable temperature is just as important in, say, a traditional office or retail setting:
- Employees that are obliged to work in an uncomfortable environment may rush tasks in order to leave sooner. This can lead to other health and safety practices being ignored.
- Workers may struggle to concentrate if they are too hot or cold, making errors more likely.
- A hot workplace may cause employees to remove PPE, increasing the chances of a serious injury.
- Workers may cope with the cold by wearing multiple layers. This can restrict their movement, causing tasks to take longer than they should.
How can I maintain a comfortable temperature?
Unfortunately, there is no perfect temperature. Different employees will have different comfort zones, so the best you can hope for is a good compromise. That said, if multiple workers are complaining about the cold, it’s probably a sign that you need to turn up the heating.
Central heating is the easiest way to do this, but we understand that you might be reluctant to use it. Some of the following may prove cheaper alternatives:
- Providing portable heaters
- Draught-proofing windows and doors
- Insulating floors
- Relaxing dress codes to allow for warmer clothing, or even providing warm clothing yourself
- Providing the facilities to make hot drinks and giving employees plenty of breaks
These steps are designed to curb your energy use, not replace it altogether. Warm clothing and hot drinks are helpful, but they are not a substitute for central heating. As winter draws on, there will come a time when you have to bite the bullet and turn on the heating.
For help reviewing your workplace for thermal comfort, or with any other health and safety issues, don’t hesitate to give us a call.
