Permissible temperature in the workplace. Temperature conditions in the workplace - SanPiN

According to the Labor Code of the Russian Federation, the employer must provide his subordinates not only with safety, but also with conditions under which labor safety standards are observed. In particular, temperature standards in the workplace adopted at the state level. Articles Labor Code 209 and 212 regulate the requirements for events that create appropriate sanitary and hygienic conditions.

What does the law say?

It should be especially highlighted which relate to humidity and temperature of industrial and office premises. All necessary figures are contained in SanPiN 2.2.4.548962. This is the main document according to which the normal conditions labor, in particular - humidity conditions, temperature standards in the room and other important factors.

Increased ambient air temperature can be considered one of the most strong factors, inhibiting performance. The mentioned sanitary standards determine that the room temperature is summer period should not be higher than 25 °C. Relative humidity does not have the right to fall below 40%. It is with these values that the necessary thermal comfort can be ensured throughout the entire working day or shift.

Compliance with these conditions does not lead to deviations in the well-being of workers and creates the necessary conditions for normal work. Ensuring an optimal microclimate in production premises necessarily requires the employer to equip the workshop or office with heating, as well as ventilation and air conditioning systems.

Don't break the law!

The absence or malfunction of any of the listed systems leads to unacceptable temperature rises and poses a threat to the health of workers. This in itself is a violation of the law.

In this case, employees are divided into categories. For example, sanitary standards for office employees are classified as Category A. If the temperature in the workplace exceeds certain numbers, they have the right to have their working hours reduced for periods that will be described below.

The required microclimate indicators are given in section seven of SanPiN. Temperatures in the workplace that do not meet standards may result in a legal reduction in working hours. In this case, the employer is required to organize a commission whose task is to measure it in the premises.

What then?

The results of such an examination are documented in a protocol. It presents the data obtained and compares it with the normative ones. The working day is shortened on the basis of an order in accordance with the requirements given in SanPiN. The document must contain a link to the protocol with temperature measurement data.

This is done to protect employees from possible health damage due to cooling or overheating. It should be borne in mind that from a legal point of view it is necessary to distinguish between the concepts of time spent at one’s workplace and the duration of a shift or working day.

As the mentioned SanPiN states, the temperature in the workplace must be such that the presence of people in production conditions is brought into compliance with hygienic requirements. In doing so, they rely on Article 212 of the Labor Code of the Russian Federation.

What can you do

As ways to solve this problem, one should consider additional breaks, earlier leaving of employees at home, transferring them to other workplaces, and equipping special rooms for rest.

If the employer refuses to comply with these requirements, he can be charged with two offenses simultaneously. We are talking, firstly, about violation sanitary rules(temperature standards in production do not correspond to standard indicators). Secondly, labor legislation is directly ignored, since people work in conditions that are not suitable for this.

If the employer fails to act in this situation and refuses to provide employees with other work in unfavorable conditions equal in duration to a daily working day (shift). That is, we can talk about overtime hours for employees at the initiative of the employer with all the ensuing legal and financial consequences.

How to take care of yourself

What can ordinary employees do to normalize the situation in ensuring their own rights to safe and comfortable working conditions? In cases where temperature standards in the workplace are not observed, they are advised to file complaints simultaneously with the bodies of Rospotrebnadzor and the Code of Administrative Offenses of the Russian Federation. In such cases, it provides for legal entities a fine, the size of which is of the same order as the costs required to equip workplaces with fans and air conditioners.

As you know, our people are used to working in any conditions. It is sometimes surprising to what extent workplace norms can be violated. People have to work, chattering their teeth from the cold or literally suffocating due to the unbearable heat. This also applies to knowledge workers who spend their days in a “civilized” office. The labor process in such unsuitable conditions has become so commonplace that people no longer even think about violating their legal rights.

Temperature standards in the workplace

Of course, both jobs and activities can vary greatly. A bank employee is in one set of conditions, a loader or crane operator is in completely different conditions. Standards have been developed for each individual profession in this regard.

Any type of work belongs to one of the existing categories, for which the necessary microclimatic conditions and permissible temperature range are prescribed. Unfortunately, it is unrealistic to consider all of them in one article. Therefore, we will focus on the working conditions of office workers.

What should we know?

Perhaps for someone this information will be heard for the first time. Do you know that if you are forced to work at a temperature that does not meet established standards, then you have every right to reduce your working hours?

Probably, many, after reading these lines, will only grin. Anyone in our country knows what it is like to seek the rule of law and justice, including in the workplace. But nevertheless, possession of this information will allow, in the necessary cases, to “download your rights”, achieving the opportunity to ask to go home early or even raise the issue of paying overtime to the employer if it is impossible to force him to comply with temperature standards at the workplace in the office.

In any organization there will always be an active “backbone” of workers who will seek justice by writing complaints and putting all kinds of pressure on management. We hope this information will help them in this matter.

Let's arm ourselves with a thermometer

So, let's measure the temperature at our workplace. It should not be more than 23-25 °C. We're talking about summer work. If it is winter outside, these numbers range from 22 to 24 °. In this case, the thermometer readings must be linked to air humidity, valid values which - from 40 to 60%.

Of course, the temperature may deviate from the required one by a certain acceptable amount, which is 1 or 2 degrees, but no more. Throughout the working day, the temperature change should not be more than 4 degrees.

If these conditions are met, you are required to work a full 8 hours in the office. If the temperature during the day reached 29 °C (that is, exceeded the maximum permissible by 4 °C), your demand to be allowed to leave work exactly an hour earlier would be completely legal.

In 30-degree heat, you have the right to work no more than 6 hours. If the thermometer exceeds 32.5 °C, theoretically you have the right to work for no more than an hour.

If it's cold outside

The situation is similar with work on cold winter days. If the thermometer shows only 19 degrees Celsius, the duration of the working day is 7 hours, at 18 degrees - 6. At the same time precise measurement temperature is produced at a height of about a meter from the floor.

The question is: will such scrupulous measurements, coupled with the requirements for the employer to strictly comply with the rules and regulations, bring practical benefit? The fact is that it will most likely be more profitable for the latter to spend money once on installing an air conditioner or heater instead of regularly paying fines for violations with the attendant hassle.

Therefore, if you value your own health, do not be afraid of your superiors. Your goal is to ensure that they are respected. If you have the information contained in the legislative documents designed to protect the ordinary employee, and show the proper persistence, it is quite possible to achieve justice.

Optimal microclimate indicators in the workplace are the key to high productivity and health of personnel. Creation favorable conditions for the performance of duties by employees is undoubtedly beneficial to employers. However, not all managers strive to follow the requirements of sanitary and hygienic standards. This has different explanations. On the one hand, the temperature regime must be regulated with expensive equipment, on the other hand, the concept of a favorable microclimate is considered by many to be subjective. For example, there are situations when one part of the team feels cold, while the other, on the contrary, complains about excessive high temperature. At the same time, the legislation provides for clear microclimate indicators in work premises that are optimal for ensuring working conditions. These standards provide different indicators depending on the category of work space.

Requirements for premises of the first category

To begin with, it is worth noting that the first two categories provide for division into subgroups “a” and “b”. The differences in them are due to the nature of the actions performed. For example, group “a” is objects where work is carried out in a sitting position and is associated with minor loads. Subcategory “a” includes premises in which the intensity of energy consumption is expected to be no more than 139 W. In particular, these could be enterprises in the instrument and automotive industries, sewing and watch production. In this case, the optimal temperature regime is 21-28 °C. The indicators that should be followed in regulating the microclimate in premises of subcategory “b” are slightly different. The intensity of energy consumption in this case can reach 174 W, and the lower limit of the temperature regime is 20 °C.

Requirements for premises of the second category

This group is distinguished not only by a higher intensity of energy consumption (232 W), but also by the very nature of performing work actions. Already subgroup “a” assumes that employees move or move small loads (up to 1 kg) in a sitting or standing position. The permissible temperature range for this category is 18-27 °C. If the employee’s work involves moving heavy objects (up to 10 kg), and the intensity of energy consumption reaches 290 W, then we're talking about about group “b” and the lower limit will be lowered to 16 °C. As a rule, air temperature conditions in such ranges are established at forging, mechanized, thermal and rolling enterprises. Work may involve maintaining assembly shops, conveyors, and production lines.

Requirements for premises of the third category

If the intensity of energy consumption exceeds the level of 290 W, then the third category should be considered. These are the most demanding premises in terms of establishing microclimate parameters. Employees at such enterprises exert great physical effort, walking and moving loads of more than 10 kg. Favorable temperature conditions relative to the premises of this group vary from 15 to 26 °C. Typically these are workshops and production facilities in which workers perform manual tasks. This could be metal processing, preparation building structures, installation operations, etc.

Seasonality factor

General indicators of optimal temperature for different categories production premises may be subject to seasonal adjustments. Typically the deviation is 3-4 °C. When calculating this difference, the average daily temperature is taken into account. For example, in summer it is 10 °C and above, and in winter, on the contrary, 10 °C and below. Of course, in matters of what temperature regime will be optimal for a particular workplace, it is determined by many factors, and following the standards does not always contribute to comfort. Therefore, it is also worthwhile to be guided by the individual characteristics of the employee’s body, taking into account its functionality.

Temperature recording

Fulfilling the requirements for establishing an optimal microclimate in the workplace is impossible without measuring devices. Moreover, traditional thermometers are not suitable for this. At a minimum, we need similar devices designed for use in offices and factories. In addition, it is necessary to follow special approaches to determining values. For example, in the warm season, taking into account the temperature regime involves measuring on days when there is a deviation from the thermometer readings from similar data of the hottest month by less than 5 °C.

The frequency of such measurements depends on several factors, including the stability of work processes and the characteristics of sanitary facilities. When choosing the time and areas for measurements, you should also focus on the stages technological processes, operation of ventilation and heating systems, etc. Typically, such activities are carried out at least three times per shift.

How is the temperature regulated?

First of all, enterprises must take the necessary measures for thermal insulation, heating and ventilation. Control and compliance with temperature conditions also provide means of air cooling. For this purpose, air conditioners and air shower systems are installed. The presence of such equipment allows you to regulate the volume of air injection, its speed and the overall format of work.

If the installation of such systems is impossible for technical reasons, then the manager must organize comfortable conditions for relaxation in a separate room. In some industries it is mandatory to provide drinking water. Especially in hot weather, employees should consume at least 3 liters of fluid per day.

Alternative ways to comply with regulations

The inability to meet the conditions for ensuring a comfortable microclimate is quite common. One way out of this situation may be the already mentioned break room, but such premises cannot be organized at all enterprises. It is possible to bring the temperature in the workplace to optimal levels by reducing the duration of work shifts. The more hours a person works, the stricter the microclimate requirements.

In this way, the time slots for shifts can be varied, thereby satisfying regulatory requirements. In addition, the practice is to introduce regulated breaks, which allow employees to leave their workplaces for a certain time. If possible, it is worth organizing a differentiated scheme for organizing work processes, in which workers can change places.

What are the consequences of non-compliance with the temperature regime?

Complaints from enterprise employees on this issue are no longer uncommon. But before this, it is necessary to notify the authorities in writing that the requirements of sanitary standards are not met and appropriate measures must be taken. If there is no response to this request and the temperature remains the same, then the employee has the right to demand compensation for the harm caused. In addition, for the manager it may follow administrative punishment. Today, fines for non-compliance with microclimate regulation rules are quite high and reach tens of thousands of rubles. Also, as a punishment, a ban on the operation of the enterprise for up to three months may be imposed.

Conclusion

Providing comfortable working conditions is especially important, since the activities of employees of various enterprises are themselves associated with certain stresses. However, you should not think that the situation is easier when it comes to office workers. Physical activity gives some tone to the body, so the temperature regime is not so noticeable. However, sedentary and monotonous work associated with high responsibility involves serious psychological stress. In hot conditions, cardiovascular diseases often develop against this background. Therefore, the issue of ensuring an optimal microclimate involves not only creating comfort, but also directly aims to eliminate harmful effects on the health of working personnel. Also, do not forget about the benefits for the companies and organizations themselves, the effectiveness of which is directly related to the functionality of their employees.

27.10.2017, 18:36

Do you want your staff to always work efficiently? Agree that it is difficult to think about business when a person is experiencing discomfort. Therefore, the temperature in the workplace must be appropriate. After reading our material, you will find out what temperature standards in the workplace are established by SanPiN for 2017 and in the future, what it should be in the office in winter and summer, and also what the employer faces from violating it.

Why do we need SanPiN standards?

Employers are required to create not only safe conditions in the workplace and office, but also maintain a comfortable atmosphere. Including temperature, humidity level, etc. This follows from Article 21 of the Labor Code of the Russian Federation.

Relevant standards are established to ensure that working 8 hours a day (40 hours a week) does not cause harm to the employee’s health. In addition, comfortable conditions have a positive effect on the performance of staff.

When setting temperature standards in a workroom, be sure to also pay attention to humidity, air speed, surface temperature, etc.

The indicators of the standards under consideration may differ, since the degree of load and types of work are usually different. For example, in foundries average temperature stays around 35-37 degrees. What should be the temperature in the office workplace?

Office temperature

The less physical activity is performed by a person, the warmer the room should be. Office workers spend most of their time at the computer, moving at most from office to office. Therefore, the temperature for such conditions is set taking into account these factors.

Of course, the normal temperature in the workplace in winter differs from the normal temperature in the workplace in summer. Next we will clearly demonstrate this.

According to SanPiN 2017 standards, the temperature in the office workplace in the warm season should be 23-25C at relative humidity air 40-60%. At the same time, the surface temperature is from 22 to 26C, and the air movement speed is up to 0.1 m/s.

In the cold season, the temperature in the office should be from 22 to 24C (humidity and air speed are similar). The optimal surface temperature is 21-25C.

When making a decision, be guided by:

SanPiN 2.2.4.548-96<Гигиенические требования к микроклимату производственных помещений>(clauses 5, 6, 7 and Appendix 1);
SanPiN 2.2.4.3359-16 “Sanitary and epidemiological requirements for physical factors in the workplace.”

Employers need to know exactly what temperature should be in the workroom, since failure to comply with the standards may result in prosecution.

Consequences of violating SanPiN standards

When working conditions deviate from the norms and Labor Code of the Russian Federation, the length of the working day should be reduced. For example, office staff can work indoors at 13C for no more than 1-4 hours.

Responsibility for this violation of labor legislation is provided for in Part 1 of Art. 5.27.1 Code of Administrative Offenses of Russia. Employers and officials are fined:

2000 – 5000 rub. for businessmen;
50,000 – 80,000 for legal entities;
2000 – 5000 rub. on officials.

Let us remind you once again that it is the employer’s responsibility to create and maintain a temperature in the workplace in accordance with SanPiN standards. To do this, they use a variety of air conditioners, heaters, etc. By observing established standards, you can avoid many conflicts, as well as downtime associated with employee illnesses.

Summer time is always difficult time for work. Situations often arise when the room temperature exceeds the permissible limit, turning work into severe torture (and even breaks in the middle of the day help little). For employees it becomes topical issue, are there any legal requirements regarding temperature standards during working hours in the heat.

To solve this issue need to contact Article 212 of the Labor Code of the Russian Federation . In one of the provisions, it prescribes the employer’s obligation to provide comfortable working conditions for each employee. Based on this legal provision, a regulation was developed regarding working hours in hot weather SanPiN 2.2.4.548-96 .

Reduced working hours due to heat

According to established standards for office employees, the maximum permissible temperature indoors in summer should be 28 degrees. The more the actual reading exceeds this standard, the less employees should work.

Order to reduce working hours due to heat

An order to change working hours due to heat is an integral document on the basis of which the schedule is re-issued. This act is drawn up by the employer indicating the reason for the innovations. Experts, however, differ on how to indicate the reasons for changes.

A reduction in working hours due to heat can be documented as downtime either due to the fault of the employer, or due to objective circumstances beyond the control of the parties. The first case is relevant in situations where the organization does not provide adequate conditions for working on the premises. However, on the other hand, it is not always possible to provide for increased temperature conditions. As a result, the decision about the reason for such downtime rests with the employer. In both cases, according to Article 157 of the Labor Code of the Russian Federation the company is obliged to pay two-thirds of the wages.

It is possible to issue an order indicating objective circumstances and appropriate remuneration. In this case, its size decreases in proportion to the reduction in working time.

How to reduce working hours in hot weather - drawing up an order

An order to reduce working hours due to heat is drawn up according to the basic rules for processing documents. That is, it is similar to those regulations that relate to the issues of reducing work time due to heat.

The main provisions of this document should include:

establishing a new time, indicating breaks for lunch and rest;
an instruction on the need for all department heads to familiarize their subordinates with this order;
providing employees with the opportunity to take unpaid leave;
appointment of responsible persons who must monitor the implementation of regulations.

Subscribes this document both the manager and the designated responsible person. It may include additional requirements at the initiative of the employer. For example, the validity period of this resolution, or the provision of means of protection from heat.

Do you want your staff to always work efficiently? Agree that it is difficult to think about business when a person is experiencing discomfort. And for this it is necessary to comply with at least the temperature standards in the workplace. It should be comfortable. From this article, you will learn what standards are established by SanPiN in 2019 and what the final temperature in the office should be in winter and summer, as well as what the employer faces when violating these requirements.

Why is SanPiN needed?

It follows from Article 21 of the Labor Code of the Russian Federation that employers are obliged to create not only safe conditions in workplaces in the office or in production, but also to maintain a comfortable atmosphere - temperature, humidity level, etc. Relevant standards are established so that work is 8 hours a day (40 hours/week) did not cause harm to health. In addition, comfortable conditions have a positive effect on the performance of staff.

When introducing temperature standards in a workroom, officials must pay attention to humidity, air speed, surface temperature, etc. In addition, indicators may differ due to varying degrees of load and types of work. For example, foundries have their own temperature that is considered comfortable, which cannot be said about ordinary office premises.

Temperature conditions of the working room

The less physical activity a person does, the warmer the room should be. Office workers spend most of their time at the computer, and most of the time they move from office to office. Therefore, the favorable temperature should be set taking these factors into account.

According to SanPiN 2019 standards, the temperature in the office workplace in the warm season should be 23-25 degrees Celsius with a relative air humidity of 60-40%. At the same time, the surface temperature is from 22 to 26C, and the air movement speed is up to 0.1 m/s.

In the cold season, the temperature in the office should be from 22 to 24C (humidity and air speed are similar). The optimal surface temperature is 21-25C.

When making a decision, be guided by SanPiN 2.2.4.548-96 “Hygienic requirements for the microclimate of industrial premises” (clauses 5, 6, 7 and Appendix 1).

Employers need to know exactly what temperature should be in the workroom, since failure to comply with the standards may result in prosecution.

Consequences for violating SanPiN standards

When working conditions deviate from temperature norms, the length of the working day should be reduced. For example, office workers can work indoors at +13C for no more than 1 – 4 hours (with normal sedentary work).

Violation of the temperature regime is classified under Part 1 of Art. 5.27.1 Code of Administrative Offences. A warning or fine may be imposed in the amount of:

2000-5000 rub. – for individual entrepreneurs;
50,000-80,000 – for legal entities;
2000 – 5000 rub. - for officials.

It is also possible to forcefully terminate activities for up to 3 months.

They can also be held accountable under Art. 6.3 of the Code of Administrative Offenses of the Russian Federation, which provides for a warning or an administrative fine from 100 to 20,000 rubles. depending on the status of the culprit (individual, official, individual entrepreneur, legal entity). But usually inspectors are guided by more stringent sanctions, that is, Part 1 of Art. 5.27.1 Code of Administrative Offenses of the Russian Federation.

Remember that it is the employer’s responsibility to create and maintain a temperature in the workplace in accordance with SanPiN standards. For this, air conditioners, heaters, etc. are used. By following the established rules, you can avoid many conflicts, as well as downtime associated with employee illnesses.