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Chat Area => General Discussion Area => Topic started by: stuart30 on 02 February 2009, 01:16:11

Title: Anyone here clued up on H&S law.
Post by: stuart30 on 02 February 2009, 01:16:11
Need too find a definite answer too whats the minimum temperature allowed in a work place (office) before heating must be supplied.

My work place is currently 12 degrees....spoke too someone about this as i believe the minimum is 16 degrees but im told that the H & S have guidelines and nothing  enforceable. :o

Im so cold my hands and feet are numb and im close too walking off site (instant dismissal). :-/
Title: Re: Anyone here clued up on H&S law.
Post by: Turk on 02 February 2009, 01:19:17
http://www.hse.gov.uk/contact/faqs/temperature.htm
Title: Re: Anyone here clued up on H&S law.
Post by: stuart30 on 02 February 2009, 01:24:56
Quote
http://www.hse.gov.uk/contact/faqs/temperature.htm


Cheers Turk ive seen that...thats what i quoted.

However ive been told thats just guidlines and not law. :-?
Title: Re: Anyone here clued up on H&S law.
Post by: Turk on 02 February 2009, 01:54:58
Are others working in the same office ? If so and they all feel the same and your manager/supervisor etc is still ignoring your request for heating, then go to his superior...and so on.
Don't just walk out, do it by the book.

You could always bring in the biggest, most expensive to run heater you can find if they don't do anything about it.
It's their electricity  ;)
Title: Re: Anyone here clued up on H&S law.
Post by: stuart30 on 02 February 2009, 02:01:49
Quote
Are others working in the same office ? If so and they all feel the same and your manager/supervisor etc is still ignoring your request for heating, then go to his superior...and so on.
Don't just walk out, do it by the book.

You could always bring in the biggest, most expensive to run heater you can find if they don't do anything about it.
It's their electricity  ;)

Na work alone.

Oh its 12 degrees with a Halogen heater...sitting right in front of it shivering. >:(
Title: Re: Anyone here clued up on H&S law.
Post by: Turk on 02 February 2009, 02:37:13
I've fallen asleep and left a 4 bar halogen heater on and waken up so warm I had to open and close the door to fan cool air in to get back to sleep.
They're great (and relatively economical too), but they give direct heat. If it's draughty or a large area then you'll need to be within a foot or two to feel it's heat.

Physical excercise will warm you up. Do some running on the spot for a few mins.
You may feel a bit daft, but it's just you there. :y
Title: Re: Anyone here clued up on H&S law.
Post by: Gaffers on 02 February 2009, 05:12:35
They may be guidelines but it does state the they must do everything that is reasonably feasible to  make it 16C or to make it comfortable.  That means either giving you heaters or a warm jacket
Title: Re: Anyone here clued up on H&S law.
Post by: stuart30 on 02 February 2009, 08:10:47
Quote
I've fallen asleep and left a 4 bar halogen heater on and waken up so warm I had to open and close the door to fan cool air in to get back to sleep.
They're great (and relatively economical too), but they give direct heat. If it's draughty or a large area then you'll need to be within a foot or two to feel it's heat.

Physical excercise will warm you up. Do some running on the spot for a few mins.
You may feel a bit daft, but it's just you there. :y
 

Large open plan two storey very drafty building. :(

Na im fat and lazy... ;D
Title: Re: Anyone here clued up on H&S law.
Post by: mantahatch on 02 February 2009, 08:24:01
One thing I have been told is, the 16 degree limit is for offices only, it does not include warehouse space or laboratory space.

Mike
Title: Re: Anyone here clued up on H&S law.
Post by: rob in gib on 02 February 2009, 17:10:31
as far as i can recall the states :- a temperature of at least 16 degrees must be maintained after the first hour of work where people do most of there work sat down . this does not only cover offices but bear in mind the exceptions mentioned in the above link also your employer must have and display the current H.S.E notice as this also a legal requirement the working temps i believe are on this notice . on this notice must also be the contact info for the local H.S.E office and they can answer any and all questions as well as helping to enforce them
hope this helps :y