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Workplace temperature checklist

This checklist will help you carry out a basic risk assessment of workplace temperatures.

If you answer ‘yes’ to at least two of these questions you should assess the risks[1] and find out how you can protect your workers.

What your workers think

  • Have your workers complained about temperatures in your workplace?

Air temperature

  • Does the air feel warm or hot?
  • Does the workplace temperature change during a normal working day?
  • Does the workplace temperature change a lot during hot or cold weather?

Radiant temperature

  • Is there a heat source in the environment, for example machinery?
  • Is there any equipment that produces steam?
  • Is work being done outdoors?

Humidity

  • Are your workers wearing personal protective equipment that allows air to flow through?
  • Do your workers complain that the air is too dry?
  • Do your workers complain that the air is humid?

Air movement

  • Is cold or warm air blowing directly into the workspace?
  • Are employees complaining of draughts?

Workers’ metabolic rate

  • Is work rate moderate to intensive in warm or hot conditions?
  • Are workers mainly seated in cool or cold environments?

Personal protective equipment (PPE)

  • Is PPE being worn that protects against harmful toxins, chemicals, asbestos, flames, extreme heat etc?
  • Can workers make changes to their clothing in response to high or low temperatures?
  • Is respiratory protection being worn?

Link URLs in this page

  1. assess the riskshttps://www.hse.gov.uk/temperature/employer/the-law.htm
  2. ACOP on the Workplace Regulationshttps://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/books/l24.htm
  3. Workplace health, safety and welfarehttps://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/indg244.htm
  4. Managing risks and risk assessment at workhttps://www.hse.gov.uk/simple-health-safety/risk/index.htm
  5. Personal protective equipment (PPE) at workhttps://www.hse.gov.uk/ppe/index.htm
  6. Ventilation in the workplacehttps://www.hse.gov.uk/ventilation/overview.htm
  7. NHS Choices - Heat wave be preparedhttps://www.nhs.uk/Live-well/seasonal-health/heatwave-how-to-cope-in-hot-weather/

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2024-10-21