In our country, as in any civilized state, standards have been developed that determine what the permissible temperature in the office is, as well as a number of other factors. Compliance with these rules is really important, since it depends on whether employees will be healthy, as well as their productivity. The better the working conditions, the better the result of the process. On the contrary, putting people in a bad position, forcing them to work in an office that is too hot or too cold, the employer will not only not achieve a positive result, but will also be left without staff, because those who do not quit will certainly get sick.
About norms
The standards according to which the permissible temperature in the office is regulated are taken from the Regulation adopted in 1992 and describing comfortable working conditions. In addition, there is a safety measure adopted at the state level. These documents discuss different categories of work, from the most difficult conditions with increased risk to life, to the simplest.
Despite the prevailing stereotypes that everyone can work in the office, this activity is fraught with certain difficulties and dangers. Office workers are people of intellectual labor, and severe stresses force one to be in suspense all the time. This, as well as contact with the equipment for long working hours, being in a room where there is too little natural light, a number of other factors make work difficult.
And what about the rules?
The main rule of the provision, indicating what the permissible temperature in the office is, states that "during operation, air heating should be normal."
It seems empty words? It is not surprising, because the recommendation is generalized for any existing types of jobs. In a specific case, an individual standard is developed.
The office supports air heating not lower than 16 ° C. Room humidity, air ventilation quality are taken into account.
What to do in order not to overheat?
The provision suggests that if the conditions are uncomfortable, the room is too hot, the employer takes over the work on:
- pipeline insulation;
- installing an air cooling system;
- dimming windows;
- placement of workplaces away from heat sources.
In the general case, these measures are enough to achieve an acceptable temperature in the office without overheating.
Employee comfort is the key to success
Sanitary standards governing the conditions allow an employee to be:
- effective;
- healthy
- effective;
- workable.
Remember, the temperature norm in the office must be strictly observed, since this is the law. Special authorities have the right to come with a check at any time to make sure that the employer complies with the legislation of the country.
So, specific numbers. If we are talking about the management sphere, while mainly employees are forced to sit at work and experience only insignificant physical stress, then we are talking about labor category 1a. In this case, the permissible temperature in the office in winter varies from 22 to 24 0 C. In summer, the standard is slightly higher - from 23 to 25 0 C.
And if it doesn’t work out?
What should I do if it happens that the minimum allowable temperature in the office is unattainable? Say the heating system is malfunctioning or an accident has occurred?
According to the current rules, in this case, the work schedule should be adjusted. The colder the room or, conversely, the hotter, the less time you can keep a person in place. At the same time, it is unacceptable to reduce wages.
If the permissible temperature in the office in the summer has been violated, and the room has become hot up to 29 0 C, then the employee must remain in his place for three to six hours, but no more. The specific figure is determined by the category of the work area.
In order for employees to comply with the norms established by the employment contract, the employer, as established by law, is obliged to provide them with comfortable conditions. Therefore, any violations of the norm should be eliminated by the enterprise, and in the shortest possible time. To the temperature in the office was within the reasonable, you can put a conventional air conditioner. This will be inexpensive and will help improve the efficiency of employees, avoid shortening the working day and, consequently, the profitability of the company.
And how to punish?
In the event that the permissible temperature in the office in the winter or summer was violated, and it was at that moment that the inspection came, the employer would have to fork out, or even suspend his activities. According to the regulations in force today, a fine is issued in the amount of 10-20 thousand rubles, and the company can be closed even for three months.
Verification does not always come suddenly. For example, workers dissatisfied with working conditions have the full right to apply to the appropriate bodies that will send experts.
How to fight?
In order to always be comfortable in the office, it is recommended to install microclimate control systems. If you are confident in the heating system, then a domestic air conditioner is enough to cool the air in extreme heat. If the building is poorly heated, it is necessary to consider more thorough methods of influencing the indoor climate.
Another difficulty in winter: if the heating is powerful, and the windows of the building are facing south and the sun is shining in them, then the room is very hot and it is not easy to cool it, because due to the cold outside, the household air conditioner will not cope with the load.
The most effective methods of dealing with heat in office premises in winter:
- powerful ventilation system;
- air conditioning system that can even cool air in cold weather.
In the first case, you will have to install large-sized equipment, which costs a lot of money, and only a successful company can afford it. Air conditioners that cool the air when the temperature is minus allows you to stabilize the climate so that the temperature in the office is always acceptable. Ukraine, which has norms similar to Russia, has seen a surge in demand for such equipment over the past few years, which is likely due to climate change.
Effective options:
- heat pumps;
- glycol chillers;
- cooling towers with glycol;
- VRF systems.
What depends on the employee?
The labor code in force on the territory of the Russian Federation states that an employee has the right to contact the company’s director in writing if the office does not comply with temperature standards. He may refuse to do the work, because being in too cold or overheated air is associated with an increased danger to health and life.
It is worth remembering that in accordance with the law for the period of refusal, the employer is obliged to pay the employee wages and generally retain all the privileges of the employee of the company. This is confirmed by applicable regulations, legal acts, the legislation of the country, the Labor Code.
What is the obligation of the employer?
If you turn to the laws, you can find out that from the side of the organization of workplaces, the following should be provided:
- safety during operation of all objects with which the workflow is associated, as well as materials and equipment;
- monitoring the use of exclusively certified protective equipment. This applies to both individual and collective. Be sure to consider the directives of the legislation of the country;
- compliance with labor protection standards, taking into account the individual characteristics of a particular workplace;
- compliance with the regime of work and rest, taking into account the recommendations given in the Labor Code of the Russian Federation, as well as the requirements of legal acts.
Remember the nuances
According to the laws, the employer must come to terms with the fact that employees are not required to work out all the time when the building is too cold or unbearable heat. But remember: the concept of “time spent” is different from the term “working hours”. Consequently, an enterprise that complies with the law is obliged to change the regime of work and rest so that the time spent by employees fits into the standards established by law.
How to proceed? Accepted Practice:
- workers can go home earlier;
- take breaks;
- equip a room for breaks;
- open other places that meet the standards;
- reduce the time spent in the building.
In case of non-compliance with the rules of offenses, two at once, since they are not taken into account:
- sanitary regulations;
- legislation.
If the organization does not reduce the hours of work in uncomfortable conditions, and the employee does not write an official statement, demanding for this period of time to relieve him of duties while maintaining privileges, he can count on bonuses. Every hour of work beyond the legal limit in uncomfortable conditions should be calculated as overtime.
On practice
So, specific numbers:
Temperature, degrees Celsius | Working hours |
thirty | 5 |
31 | 3 |
32 | 2 |
32,5 | one |
To find out whether the conditions are in compliance with regulatory or if overheating is observed, a special commission is formed from the company. Its main task is to measure temperature, to record data officially. Based on the results of the events, they draw up a protocol in which the received data is entered, comparing them with the norms.
If the standards are exceeded, an order for the enterprise is introduced, in which the working hours are adjusted. This document necessarily contains a link to the protocol of the commission. If employees are dissatisfied with the results of the commission, they can turn to independent experts from the labor inspectorate.