Answer to Question 2:

Hi Adrian,

In response to your question:

The Safety Health and Welfare at Work (General Application) Regulations, 2007 (Chapter 1 of Part2) states that an employer shall ensure the following:

(a) during working hours, the temperature in rooms containing workstations is appropriate for human beings, having regard to the working methods being used and the physical demands placed on the employees

(b) for sedentary office work, a minimum temperature of 17.5° C, so far as is reasonably practicable, is achieved and maintained at every workstation after the first hour’s work

(c) for other sedentary work, at every workstation where a substantial proportion of the work is done sitting and does not involve serious physical effort, a minimum temperature of 16°C is, so far as is reasonably practicable, achieved and maintained after the first hour’s work

(d) means are available to enable persons at work to measure the temperature in any workplace inside a building

The temperature in rooms in which employees work must be adequate having regard to:

(a) the indoor or special work clothing normally worn by the employees

(b) the physical activity involved in the work

(c) other elements of the thermal environment, such as radiant heat, humidity and air movement

(d) the need for any special conditions arising from, or required for, the work being carried out such as heat, cold, humidity etc.

The fact that a maximum temperature has not been specified in the Regulations does not mean that any temperature is acceptable.  At high or uncomfortable temperatures, especially when not caused by temporary weather conditions, a means of cooling should be provided.  The temperature levels in Regulation 7(1)(b) and (c) (stated above) are not comfort temperatures and do not represent temperatures at which people can work most efficiently.  It is suggested that for most people an acceptable temperature for office work lies within the range of 18 to 23 o C.  Recommendations for different building uses are available in guidance from CIBSE.

Kind Regards and Happy Christmas,
Paul