Temperature standards at the workplace. What to do if the temperature at the workplace is above normal

2024 Author: Howard Calhoun | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 10:16

What external factors affect employee performance? Such a question, of course, should be asked by any leader who wants to take care of his subordinates and increase monthly revenue. Unfortunately, features that are obvious at first glance often go unnoticed. So, for example, at enterprises, both small and large, temperature standards at the workplace are often ignored. At the same time, it is necessary to take into account the fact that not every employee will be able to work fully, freezing or suffering from unbearable heat.

Who regulates the weather at work?

Are there official documents regulating such indicators? Yes, there are. These are SanPin norms for temperature in the workplace. The regulations given in them apply to absolutely all companies and all employees (regardless of the size of the company and its state affiliation).

All information in the norms can be divided into two main blocks: temperature recommendations for various categories of employeesand the responsibility of the employer for their violation. Among other things, the norm of air temperature in the workplace is also regulated by the 212th article of the Labor Code of our country, which states that the employer is obligated to provide favorable conditions and conditions for work, as well as rest for his employees.

How to protect yourself in the workplace?

What can an employee do if the temperature at the workplace is above normal? If a person is aware of the real risks to his he alth in such a situation, then it is quite possible to temporarily refuse to perform his duties. To do this, it is necessary to draw up an official written statement and transfer it to higher management.

The document should contain information that the performance of the work provided for by the concluded employment contract threatens certain he alth risks. It would be useful to refer to Article 379 of the Labor Code, which contains information about the legality of such intentions. If the paper is drawn up in accordance with all the rules, then the employee will not only not lose his job, but will also retain all existing rights. However, do not overdo it in your desire to take a break from work, it is likely that the authorities will offer you alternative options.

How to circumvent the law without breaking it?

The leadership also has its own loopholes and workarounds. The thing is that SanPin in its documentation indicates such a concept as “stay time”, and not “length of the working day”. Simply put,the employer is not always obliged to let the employee go home early in uncomfortable working conditions in order to comply with the law. He can take the following actions:

• Organize an additional break in the middle of the day in a room with more acceptable conditions for relaxation.
• Relocate workers to another location that meets the requirements.

Sanitary standards: workplace temperature in summer

Of course, office employees are most concerned about the temperature standards in the workplace, but it is difficult to say what this trend is connected with. It should be noted that managers, secretaries and other employees of intellectual labor belong to the category of workers with minor physical exertion. It is generally accepted that the normal temperature for them should range from 22.2 to 26.4 (20-28) degrees Celsius. Any deviation from the established figures should lead to a reduction in the working day. The reduction scheme looks like this:

• 28 degrees - 8 hours;
• 28, 5 degrees - 7 hours;
• 29 degrees - 6 hours and so on.

According to a similar algorithm, the term for performing work duties in the office is reduced to a temperature of 32.5 degrees above zero. With such initial data, no more than one hour is allowed to work. At a temperature above the given work, it is completely necessary to cancel or transfer to another room.

Sanitary standards: temperature in winter

It should be noted that employees in the workplace can suffer not only from stuffiness and heat, but also from cold (such situations are even more dangerous, but they are much less common). What is the minimum acceptable temperature in the workplace? To begin with, let's discuss the algorithm of the day in cool conditions for office workers. The number of working hours for them begins to decrease from 20 degrees according to the following pattern:

• 19 degrees - 7 o'clock;
• 18 degrees - 6 o'clock;
• 17 degrees - 5 o'clock and so on.

The final mark of 13 degrees of heat implies the work of an office employee in an unheated room for one hour, at lower rates of work, it is required to cancel altogether.

It should be noted that the above norms apply exclusively to industrial and office premises, there are also requirements for social facilities, but they are slightly different. For example, the recommended temperature for polyclinics is about 20-22 degrees.

Classification of all occupations

SanPin norms for temperature in the workplace are different for each category of employees. In total, there are three main categories, of which two are also divided into additional subgroups:

• 1a. Energy consumption up to 139 W. Minor physical activity, performing work duties in a sitting position.
• 1b. Energy consumption from 140 to 174 W. Minor physical exertion while performing duties that can be performed both sitting and standing.
• 2a. Energy consumption from 175 W to 232 W. Moderate physical stress, the need for regular walking, moving loads weighing up to 1 kg in a sitting position.
• 2b. Energy consumption 233-290 W. Active, but moderate physical activity, which consists in constant walking and moving loads weighing up to 10 kilograms.
• 3. Energy consumption from 290 W. Intense load, requiring considerable strength and impact. Consists of walking, carrying large loads.

You should not assume that the higher the category of the employee, the more scrupulously the temperature standards at the workplace in summer and winter should be observed. In fact, the law requires to protect each person very carefully. Moreover, people engaged in active physical labor endure coolness much easier, as they have the opportunity to warm up from the efforts made.

Where can I go for help?

What to do if the temperature standards at the workplace are violated, and the management continues to force employees to work? In this situation, time that goes beyond the boundaries given in the laws can be considered processing. And processing, as you know, should be paid double.

Where can I complain about the fact that the norms of temperature in the workplace are occasionally or regularly violated? Unfortunately, there is no official institution dealing with this issue. However, if necessary, all their complaints regarding the unsatisfactory organization of conditions in the workplace, employees can send to the local labor inspectorate, which will be able to record the complaint and initiate proceedings on it.

In addition to the labor inspectorate, it is possible to send your wishes for organizing a comfortable temperature at the workplace in your company to Rospotrebnadzor, they will also help you resolve a dispute with the employer.

Amount of punishment and its types

What kind of punishment can an unlucky employer run into? The simplest is the usual fine, the size of which can range from 10 to 20 thousand rubles. Much worse for any organization is a temporary suspension of its activities, which can last up to 90 days. To avoid punishment, it is necessary either to improve the existing conditions, or to reduce the employee's working hours to the norm required in this case.

How to fix violations?

How can you achieve the required temperature at the workplace in the summer? Perhaps the only effective way to solve this issue is to install modern air conditioners, as well as maintaining the existing ventilation system at a high level. No open windows and drafts will help create comfortable conditions in the heat, but only ensure the distillation of heated air from room to room. Another disadvantage of this method is the high risk of colds among people who are inindoors.

As for the need to increase the air temperature, the most appropriate is to use a central heating system.