Advice if cold weather affects your workplace

WITH the temperature plummeting, the commute to work has been getting more difficult for many of us.

A new record is expected to be set for the coldest night of 2016 over the coming week, leaving many wondering if they can avoid the office if it is too cold.

Well, employers are responsible for ensuring the thermometer is “reasonable” inside the workplace.

According to the Workplace Regulations, the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999: “Employers are obliged to assess risks to health and safety – act where necessary (ie if the workplace drops below the minimum guideline or if it is felt the temperature is too high).”

In fact, the mercury should fall no lower than 16°C in offices. The associated Approved Code of Practice states that employers should take action if the temperature falls below 16°C.

Damian Phillips, Employment Partner, at Cardiff-based law firm Darwin Gray said: “Employers should provide extra heating during cold weather as well as minimising drafts and exposure and allowing extra hot drinks breaks. Flexible working patterns can also be offered to reduce the impact of the cold.”

Mr Phillips added for those working outside: “There are no legal minimum or maximum temperatures. It will be a health and safety issue.

“If weather conditions means that it has become unsafe to work, then employers could face claims and sanctions if they insist on employees continuing to work or if they unreasonably take disciplinary action against employees for refusing to work.”