As an employer, you have a duty of care to your workers - which means making sure that they have a healthy and safe workplace. This not only means mitigating or eliminating fire or other safety risks, but also keeping an eye on safe working temperatures. 

Temperature can be difficult to manage in some workplaces. For example, if you have an older building with poor insulation or run a factory which uses heat-producing machinery and equipment. You may also need to maintain temperatures in cold stores and freezers, while also making sure these areas are safe for your employees to work in.

There’s a lot to think about, but it can be useful to know what UK and European regulations and guidelines say about working temperatures - as well as what is common practice. This is what we’ll explore here, starting with optimum temperatures for warehouses. 

What temperature should a warehouse be​?

The ideal temperature for a warehouse will depend on a few different factors. These include:

  • What the warehouse is used for - for example, warehouses storing food, perishable or otherwise temperature-controlled goods will generally require lower temperatures.Other goods may require higher temperatures to control humidity or condensation. 
  • The needs of staff working within the warehouse - factors to take into account include the length of shifts, how physical the work is, how often temperature-controlled or cold store areas need to be accessed by staff. 
  • The insulation, heating system and ventilation within the space, and how these systems are controlled or adjusted.

As a very general rule, a temperature of at least 16℃ should be maintained for most warehouses. This is considered a comfortable working environment. At this temperature, workers should be able to complete tasks without feeling too hot or cold. 

What is the legal minimum temperature for a workplace? 

According to the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) in the UK, a reasonable working temperature should be between 13°C and 16°C. 

The minimum temperature for areas where strenuous physical work takes place is 13°C. 

In Europe, there is no uniform minimum temperature for workplaces, as legislation and guidance varies between countries. In many cases, only a maximum temperature is set by legal guidelines - to prevent the most serious safety risks of working in hot conditions. 

Is there an upper temperature limit for workplaces?

There isn’t a legally defined maximum temperature for workplaces in the UK. The onus is on the employer to ensure that temperatures are reasonable and safe, and to put measures in place to minimise discomfort and risks to health for their employees. 

This includes actions such as:

  • Installing air conditioning systems
  • Providing fans
  • Ensuring ventilation is sufficient
  • Using blinds or reflective film to shade workers from direct sunlight, or moving workspaces away from windows
  • Using insulating 
  • Providing rest facilities or introducing flexible working patterns for hot weather
  • Providing cold water dispensers
  • Relaxing formal dress codes.

Over in Europe, limits for maximum workplace temperatures tend to range between 28°C and 36°C - although most employers would agree that these temperatures could be dangerous to work in. 

How to control the temperature in warehouse workplaces 

As warehouses tend to be such large spaces, often with multiple uses, it can often be difficult to effectively control temperatures. There are a number of needs that need to be balanced, including protecting goods, managing site safety and ensuring that workers have a safe and comfortable workplace.

The best place to start is to carry out a detailed assessment of the building’s heating, cooling and ventilation systems. It can also be useful to take temperature readings at different times of the year (and at peak usage) and to get feedback from your employees about their comfort at work. 

With these insights, you can put measures in place to manage temperatures. These may include:

  • Insulating sources of heat, such as plant machinery and pipes
  • Insulate cold stores to ensure heating systems are working efficiently (i.e. not having to work too hard because heat is leaking from heated spaces into cold stores, or vice versa) 
  • Upgrading ventilation systems and ensuring that all windows can be opened if needed
  • Installing or upgrading air conditioning systems, and making sure that cool air is distributed evenly across workspaces
  • Controlling temperatures between zones using PVC strip curtains
  • Ensure heat-producing machinery is turned off overnight
  • Install blinds or solar-control window film on any windows that receive direct sunlight
  • Improve insulation and heating systems ahead of colder months.

Once you make improvements within your warehouse, it’s important to monitor temperatures carefully. This can help you to identify where your changes are working, and where there are any hot or cold spots. It’s also a good idea to keep checking in with your employees, as they are perfectly placed to flag up any issues. 

Here at Rayflex, we can help you control workplace temperature. Explore our full range of temperature control solutions for warehouses and workplaces right here on our website, or contact our team today on 01925 638753 to find out how we can help keep your employees safe and comfortable year-round.