Temperature

Author: CCa2z

Date: 10th October 2004

The high concentration of employees and the high level of occupation also increases the risk of uncomfortably high temperatures.  In addition, the computers which can be in use '24/7' also generate heat.  If the temperature is dropped in unoccupied areas of call centres to save energy, the occupied areas are at risk of becoming too cold.  This may be of particular concern on night shifts when a slightly warmer environment is likely to be required to compensate for the natural fall in body temperature.  These factors must be properly controlled so an acceptable temperature is maintained. 

Legal Requirements: Regulation 7 of WPR requires that 'During working hours, the temperature in all workplaces inside buildings shall be reasonable.' A reasonable temperature for a call centre will be around 19oC.  It is not just air temperature that must be considered to achieve this level of thermal comfort: Relative humidity, air movement, number of people in the workplace, equipment and solar gain also need to be considered to ensure comfortable thermal conditions.  Air temperature should be measured with an ordinary dry bulb thermometer, close to workstations, at working height and away from windows, taking into account any localised effects of sunlight and radiant heat from office machinery.  A sufficient number of thermometers should be distributed throughout the work area to allow employees to monitor the temperature.  The provision of fans or heaters can help alleviate localised problems.

User Comments: The majority of the comments were about the variability in temperature: Too cold in the morning then too hot in the afternoon; too hot during the day but too cold at night; too cold in some parts of the building but too hot in others.  Although some offices were reported as airless, call handlers did not want ventilation.   (HSE)

 


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