Information guide

What is the minimum temperature in the workplace?
Regulation 7 of The Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992 Regulations deals specifically with the temperature in indoor workplaces. It requires that during working hours, the temperature in all workplaces inside buildings shall be reasonable. This means there should be no need for special clothing, with the exception of workrooms where keeping a reasonable temperature is impractical, for example bakeries and cold stores.

The temperature in workrooms (whether they be an office, factory or any workplace inbetween) 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. These temperatures may not, however, ensure reasonable comfort, depending on other factors such as air movement and relative humidity