Temperature

Working in conditions that are too hot can cause:

* Heat stress - can affect someones ability to work, potentially leading to heat exhaustion and heat stroke (can result in unconsciousness and can be fatal)
* Dehydration

Working in cold conditions can cause:

* Cold stress
* Hypo-thermia

Temperatures in the workplace are covered by the Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992. Employers must provide a “reasonable” temperature in the workplace.

The ACOP suggests a minimum temperature in workrooms should normally be at least 16 degrees Celsius, or 13 degrees Celsius if much of the work indoors involves severe physical effort.

A meaningful figure cannot be given at the upper end of the scale because other factors have an affect including radiant temperature, humidity and air velocity.