Minimum Working Temperature

platypus

platypus

platypus

Caporegime
Joined
25 Jul 2003
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According to regulations, the minimum allowable working temperature is 16oC (13oC for physical indoor work). However at my office, I'm always the only person that is cold. And everyone insists on opening windows, which is fair enough, except they always open the window near my desk as well.

It's really getting on my wick, during the first week of February I kept my gloves on because my hands were so cold, and even today I'm sat in my fleece jacket and neck gaiter because the powers that be insist on opening the windows.

Is there anything I can do, legally speaking since they are completely unreasonable on compromise? I guess I can just grin and bear it at the moment, but we're moving office in a months time to a new building with...air conditioning :(.

It's going to be continually "cool" there, I can feel it. Not to mention recirculated germs...wohoo :/.
 
Wear a jumper. Cold hands are partly solved by an ever running supply of hot tea - that's one of the few things I come to work for... BRB - just gunna get a cuppa.
 
Chris Beard said:
Wear a jumper. Cold hands are partly solved by an ever running supply of hot tea - that's one of the few things I come to work for... BRB - just gunna get a cuppa.
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I'm already wearing a jumper.

Underneath my fleece jacket and scarf. It's ridiculous to be expected to work like this.
 
I really feel for you there - I hate air conditioning!

Luckily I'm normally too hot, so I'm glad to have the window open. Do they really force you to have your window open, even though you've complained? I'd just close it and say "can't you see me sat here in a coat and now-later-gaiter?!".
 
Are you usually cold elsewhere? at home for example. My girlfriend is overly sensitive about temperature and can be cold in the car when im about to pass out from heat exhaution!

Maybe its just you that is oversensitive? in which case talk to the powers that be an see if you can move desk away from the window, and if they dont listen goto the doctor and see if you can find a medical reson why they HAVE to listen to you?
 
Sic said:
I really feel for you there - I hate air conditioning!

Luckily I'm normally too hot, so I'm glad to have the window open. Do they really force you to have your window open, even though you've complained? I'd just close it and say "can't you see me sat here in a coat and now-later-gaiter?!".
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Yes. Everyone laughs when some bright spark spots me in my coat, "Oh look, he's cold again". It's a real riot.

When I dare to close the windows (any of them) I get someone standing up and saying "It's boiling in here, stop shutting the windows," to the point where one of the directors (small company so we all work within fairly close proximity) came up to my desk last week and told me "enough, you're the only person thats cold here so stop closing the windows."

I'm actually beginning to dread the idea of Air Conditioning, given the trouble I have with colds and flu's. It's going to be awful.
 
platypus said:
given the trouble I have with colds and flu's. It's going to be awful.
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It sounds like maybe you have a weak immune system and bad circulation, have you been to a doctor about this at all? maybe there is something that can be done so you dont suffer as much with the super sensitivity to cold?
 
AtreuS said:
Are you usually cold elsewhere? at home for example. My girlfriend is overly sensitive about temperature and can be cold in the car when im about to pass out from heat exhaution!

Maybe its just you that is oversensitive? in which case talk to the powers that be an see if you can move desk away from the window, and if they dont listen goto the doctor and see if you can find a medical reson why they HAVE to listen to you?
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Home appears to be really well insulated, the central heating is set to 18oC, and it never really feels cold.

I'm pretty cold in most other places though. I do agree that I'm over-sensitive, and that doesn't really help matters, but there's nothing really I can do about that. I wouldn't mind so much if they'd let me shut the windows behind me, or stop opening them.

A new office pro is that the windows don't open far at all, the con is that it's air conditioned.
 
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robbiemc said:
So what is the temperature at your desk?
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I've no idea, sadly I've no way of measuring it, aside from saying 'its bloody cold!'.

AtreuS said:
It sounds like maybe you have a weak immune system and bad circulation, have you been to a doctor about this at all? maybe there is something that can be done so you dont suffer as much with the super sensitivity to cold?
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Yeah I definitely think I have bad circulation, maybe a poor immune system too, though I take vitamin c every day. I guess I should go and see a doctor, I don't really want to go and gripe though.
 
platypus said:
I've no idea, sadly I've no way of measuring it, aside from saying 'its bloody cold!'.

Yeah I definitely think I have bad circulation, maybe a poor immune system too, though I take vitamin c every day. I guess I should go and see a doctor, I don't really want to go and gripe though.
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Its not griping, go and see a doc. If you think there is something wrong with you then do something about it :cool:
 
Everyone has different heat tolerances, it's never easy to please everyone, the same thing happened when I was at work, there were always people who were cold when everyone was hot.
 
platypus said:
I'm pretty cold in most other places though. I do agree that I'm over-sensitive, and that doesn't really help matters, but there's nothing really I can do about that. I wouldn't mind so much if they'd let me shut the windows behind me, or stop opening them.
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Can't you compromise somewhat here? You get to close the windows behind/near you and they wear a bit less into the office - still maintaining decorum (or not, as they choose).

I tend to suffer the opposite problem to you though, I'm almost invariably too warm in any office I've worked in so while I'm down to short sleeves and visibly overheating the rest of the office is complaining of the chill.
 
platypus said:
According to regulations, the minimum allowable working temperature is 16oC (13oC for physical indoor work)
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There is no minimum working temperature. The 13/16 degree figure is likely the guideline within the ACOP (approved code of practice) of the Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations, that a workplace can follow in order to demonstrate they are meeting the legislation.

All the actual legislation states is that "during working hours, the temperature in all workplaces inside buildings shall be reasonable". So as long as your workplace can demonstrate this, they are not breaching the H&S legislation.

You could however argue that the working temperatures are not reasonable, and this should be taken up with your health and safety representitive.

If you want to read up a bit more on it, there is information on the HSE website, or search for the regulation mentioned above.

http://www.hse.gov.uk/contact/faqs/temperature.htm
 
Politely ask them to close the window as it's making you uncomfortable. If they ignore this, bring in a fan heater and sit with it on your desk, heating you up in protest.
 
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