When it comes to the maximum legal temperature in which employees are allowed to work indoors, the rules vary greatly around the world.
Some countries like Australia, France and the US have no upper limit at all and others like Spain, Belgium and Slovenia set it at between 27 and 29 degrees Celsius. The UK meanwhile only has a lower temperature limit (16 degrees).
Despite research showing that workplace accidents rise as temperatures do, while concentration levels drop, many countries still do not have a legal temperature limit for workplaces.
If you're forced to continue working in an office during uncomfortably hot weather, you may have to resort to other measures to help cool your workplace down. Here are five things you can do:
- Switch off things that give off heat: Printers, photocopiers, monitors and lamps all add heat to a room. Any electrical devices that you don't need for work can be switched off.
- Ventilate better: Rather than leaving windows permanently ajar, cross-ventilation at the right time brings more cool air into the room. Windows should ideally be opened early in the morning, before it gets too warm outside. Cleaning staff can also be asked to open windows later in the day when employees have left the building.
- Adjust working hours: Where possible, working hours can be adapted to the temperature. Flexitime arrangements, for example, can allow staff to work during the cooler morning or evening hours. When it comes to breaks, several short breaks for cooling down are more effective than one longer break.
- Provide shade: Inside, light-coloured blinds, curtains or UV-protection film fitted in front of windows can help. Blinds are best left down after the working day ends as well. Outdoors, a tent, sun canopy or parasol can provide shade. When working outside, it is worth moving the workstation into the shade wherever possible.
- Stay hydrated: All employees should have access to sufficient fluids. A word of caution: drinks that are too cold can cause stomach complaints, and too many sugary drinks can actually dehydrate the body. Tap water, mineral water with sodium, diluted juices or juice spritzers are the best options.
