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Temperature

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Working Temperatures

So much of our time is spent at work that it is important we feel comfortable when we are there and this doesn't just mean having an adjustable chair or somewhere to get a drink. Being too hot or too cold whilst at work can not only make the day feel very long but can also be very tiring.

The Workplace Health and Safety Welfare Regulations cover workplace temperature and states: 'workrooms' should normally be at least 16 degrees Celsius unless much of the work involves severe physical effort in which case the temperature, should be at least 13 degrees Celsius'. However, they then go on to say: 'these temperatures may not, ensure reasonable comfort, depending on other factors such as air movement and relative humidity.'

Everybody is different, some of us feel the cold and some of us don't and with the majority of us sharing offices it can be very difficult to get the temperature just right to suit everyone.

HSE guidance refers to workplace temperature as 'Thermal Comfort' which they themselves admit is very difficult to define. To ensure people are comfortable involves the consideration of a range of environmental and personal factors with a thermal environment that satisfies the majority (80%) of people in the workplace the best that realistically can be achieved.

The University also experiences problems which can occur as a result of the age of some of our buildings and the use that we now put them to.  Some windows may be small and rooms clearly not designed to accommodate the range of heat generating electrical equipment, let alone the number of people being taught or working on PCs in an office.  Conversely, whilst we have taken great strides to improve heating and reduce heat loss through improved insulation in windows, walls and roofs some of us may still find themselves too cold rather than too warm at certain times of the year.

So, to get the facts straight:

  • The HSE normally expects temperatures of over 16 degrees Celsius however,
  • By law in the UK there is no legal maximum although in the publication ‘Thermal Comfort in the Workplace’, the HSE seeks to define thermal comfort levels, and states: 'An acceptable zone of thermal comfort for most people in the UK lies roughly between 13°C (56°F) and 30°C (86°F.
  • HSE Guidance
  • To ensure that we try to best manage temperature in our buildings, we have a Thermal Comfort Policy

It is important that we try to manage thermal comfort within teams as everyone has different preferences hot or cold and it is also of great importance that we all take some actions to help ourselves.

Improving your Thermal Comfort

  • Add or remove layers of clothing depending on how hot or cold you are.
  • Wear suitable fabrics eg cotton in hot weather and a woolly jumper in winter.
  • Use window blinds (if available) to cut down on the heating effects of the sun.
  • Use a desk or pedestal fan to increase air movement.
  • Use heaters to warm up in the winter - however always remember to turn them off.
  • Open windows to increase ventilation if you are too hot.
  • If you are too warm drink plenty of water and if you are too cold have a warm drink.

Where these actions are not sufficient and in accordance with the Thermal Comfort policy, concerns should then be reported to the Facilities Helpline facilities.helpline@yorksj.ac.uk