The temperature in the workplace is normal in winter. What should be the air temperature in the office according to sanitary standards?

For efficient production of products and comfortable conditions in the workplace, room temperature remains an important aspect, but what is its norm? What losses will he suffer if this condition is not met?

The employer's obligation to ensure temperature standards

Labor legislation regulates the requirements for activities. When complying with these standards, the employer bears responsibility. Such activities also include compliance temperature regime in room. Air temperature affects performance labor process, and if it is lower or higher than the norm, then this is considered a deviation.

The manager is obliged to put this indicator in order and ultimately ensure that the temperature indicator reaches the required level.

For violation of sanitary standards and failure to comply with rules for creating comfortable working conditions, the manager is subject to administrative liability. He may be fined 20,000 rubles, and a ban on the right to engage in this type of activity will be imposed for some time. During downtime, the manager is obliged to pay the employee average earnings, which will entail losses for the organization.

Recording the fact of violation of sanitary conditions is entrusted to the Hygiene Service. Therefore, the best solution would be for the employer to monitor the condition of workplaces during temperature changes, as well as timely response to employee requests.

What is SanPiN

Based on legal requirements, it is the responsibility of employers to ensure safe work in the workplace, this includes maintaining the required temperature. The Sanitary Standards specify all the microclimate indicators in which an employee can work.

Based on these standards or according to production control programs at the enterprise, regulatory authorities take measurements. They can be:

Planned, laid down in a pre-developed or agreed schedule.
Unscheduled, which are carried out directly to check the condition of the workplace.
When conducting special assessment working conditions.

The data is reflected in, the latter are drawn up in two copies, one of which is stored by the employer, and the second by the organization that carried out the measurements. Also, the air temperature in the room can be monitored daily using a thermometer, the main thing is that the device is verified in a timely manner and the verification period is not overdue.

Standard temperature indicators are indicated in SanPiN.

About temperature conditions

Temperature conditions and operating time

The temperature regime when it is summer outside, according to the law, must be ensured by the following rules:

If work time is 8 hours, then no higher than 28 0 C;
for 5-hour work the maximum value is 30 C;
if the work takes 3 hours, then - 31 0 C;
if you are supposed to be at the workplace for 2 hours, then - 32 C;
for hourly work - 32.5 0 C.

If the temperature exceeds 32.5 C, then it is considered dangerous for human body. The best solution for the manager there will be the installation of air conditioners or fans, and there is also an opportunity by administrative document to reduce the number of jobs.

Temperature in winter time should not be below 20 0 C, otherwise the worker will not be comfortable. In this case, it is necessary to install separate heating systems or reduce the operating time.

The Labor Code of the Russian Federation also establishes standards for working at low temperatures:

with a 7-hour work shift, work is allowed at 19 0 C;
if an employee is at the workplace for 6 hours, then - 18 0 C;
at 5 hours of exposure - 17 0 C;
if 4 hours, then - 16 0 C;
with a 3-hour work shift - 15 0 C;
if 2 hours, then - 14 0 C;
13 0 C at 1 hour of operation.

According to the standards, if the room temperature is less than 13 0 C, then this is considered a critical level and working in this mode is harmful to health.

It turns out that in summer period the temperature in the room or production area should not exceed 28

C, and in winter it should reach 20 0 C.

How are professions classified?

Temperature standards differ and are classified differently for each category.

First a. When energy consumption is about 139 W. This is a fairly low load, thus fixed work while sitting, with minimal movements.
First b. If energy costs range from 140 to 170 W. These are also minor loads, but work is assumed both sitting and standing.
Second a. From 175 to 232 W. This refers to moderate physical exertion. In this case, it is necessary to regularly walk and move light weights.
Second b. From 233 to 290 W. The load is quite active, but moderate. Loads weighing up to a kilogram are moved in a sitting position.
Third. Energy consumption in the workplace is up to 290 W. That is, the employee walks intensively, and production activities require significant physical activity.

Some managers believe that the higher the category of employee, the greater the need to comply with workplace standards. But this is wrong, since every employee has the right to work in comfortable conditions. Therefore, the rules apply to everyone and must be followed in full.

Actions of an employee if the manager does not comply with the temperature regime

The temperature regime is not maintained: what to do?

Often, enterprises violate standard temperature indicators, but what to do? Should I continue working or should I try to adjust it? this question at the employer?

There are several options for contacting your manager or other authorities:

Approach the manager and discuss that it is impossible to be on the site, much less work. Of course, you can take several employees with you so that they can verbally confirm the fact of this circumstance.
But unfortunately, this does not work in all cases, although any manager is obliged to respond to such requests.
Write a paper asking for heaters to be installed. In this case, it is advisable to collect the signatures of several workers at the same time. You should approach your boss with such a paper, but if in this case there is no reaction, then you should pass the document through the secretary, or even better, put incoming number. It is better to keep a copy of the document in hand until the issue is resolved.
When there is no action from the employer, it is recommended to write complaints to Rospotrebnadzor. Of course, inspections will immediately begin, which will end with the imposition of penalties, which will entail a conflict. But many employers only begin to do what they are supposed to do in this way.
It is also possible to file a complaint at labor inspection, but this will also end in inspections and penalties.

Any employee has legal grounds to demand that the employer respect his rights.

How to eliminate violations

Those noted for non-compliance with the temperature regime in the workplace can be eliminated and this will not require special efforts on the part of the employer.

In the summer, you can install air conditioners or fans, turn on exhaust ventilation, if this helps normalize the regime. In the cold season, you cannot do without additional heaters, and it also makes sense to check the performance of the heating systems.

The employer must take all possible measures to achieve normal microclimate indicators and these values must be noted in the protocols.

Watch a video about how new SanPiN standards have come into force in Russia since 2018:

Form for receiving a question, write yours

Optimal microclimate indicators in the workplace are the key to high productivity and health of personnel. Creating favorable conditions for employees to perform their duties is undoubtedly beneficial to employers. However, not all managers strive to follow the requirements of sanitary and hygienic standards. There are various explanations for this. 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 the excessively 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 for different indicators depending on the category of workspace.

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 on which work is carried out in 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 of building structures, installation operations, etc.

Seasonality factor

General indicators of optimal temperature for different categories of industrial premises can be adjusted to suit the season. 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 worth following individual characteristics 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 taking measurements, you should also focus on the stages of technological processes, the 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 that 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 company 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, administrative punishment may follow for the manager. 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

Ensuring comfortable working conditions is especially important, since the activities of employees various enterprises itself is associated with certain loads. 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.

One of the main tasks of the employer can be considered to provide a favorable microclimate in the workplace.

However, many employers do not comply with temperature requirements, thereby violating the law.

What should be the temperature in the room? Labor Code RF?

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Is the employer obligated to monitor the room temperature?

This question can be answered by Article 212, according to which the employer will be held administratively liable for sanitary work not carried out on time.

The list of these measures also includes compliance with the temperature regime established by Sanitary Norms and Rules (SanPiN), since too low or, conversely, high temperature can lead to a decrease in energy levels and, as a result, its performance.

Accordingly, if an employer evades fulfilling this obligation, he violates the law and must be punished.

It can be said that the employer is obliged to monitor the temperature throughout the entire working period.

Temperature conditions at different times of the year

According to the Labor Code, the room temperature in the summer should not be higher than:

28 degrees Celsius for 8 hours of operation.
30 degrees Celsius for 5 hours of operation.
31 degrees Celsius for 3 hours of operation.
32 degrees Celsius for 2 hours of operation.
32.5 degrees Celsius for 1 hour of operation.

Working at temperatures exceeding 32.5 degrees is considered dangerous. The employer has several options to avoid the heat, namely: install special equipment (air conditioners, fans) in the work premises or reduce the number of working hours by special order.

According to the Labor Code, the indoor temperature in winter should not fall below 20 degrees Celsius. If it does not meet the standards, the employer must install a heater in the workroom or reduce the number of working hours. The Labor Code establishes the following temporary standards at low temperatures:

no more than 7 hours of operation at 19 degrees Celsius.
no more than 6 hours of operation at 18 degrees Celsius.
no more than 5 hours of operation at 17 degrees Celsius.
no more than 4 hours of operation at 16 degrees Celsius.
no more than 3 hours of operation at 15 degrees Celsius.
no more than 2 hours of operation at 14 degrees Celsius.
no more than 1 hour of operation at 13 degrees Celsius.

Labor standards have established that working in temperatures below 13 degrees Celsius is dangerous.

Summarizing the above data, we can say that the indoor temperature in summer should not exceed 28 degrees Celsius, and in winter it should not fall below 20 degrees Celsius.

What should an employee do if the employer does not comply with the temperature regime?

Salaried workers often face negligence from their employers. What to do in this case? There are several options:

ask the employer to normalize the temperature using equipment (air conditioning, heater)
demand a reduction in hours of work in accordance with regulations
file a complaint with Rospotrebnadzor
contact the labor inspectorate for help

In the last two options, a special inspection will be carried out at the place of work, during which it will be determined whether an offense has been committed.

As a result, we can say that the employee has several legal methods of influencing.

What punishment does an employer face for non-compliance with temperature conditions?

In accordance with the Code of Administrative Offenses, an employer who violates sanitary standards will be fined up to 20 thousand rubles, or its activities will be suspended for a certain period.

Every employer must provide employees with optimal working conditions. People's productivity and health depend on them. Our government has developed rules, the implementation of which guarantees the safety and comfort of workers. They also include the standard temperature in the office. Hygienic requirements are approved by the law “On the sanitary and epidemiological welfare of the population.” Adopted in 1999, the document obliges all employers to strictly comply with the rules.

Temperature standards

People who work primarily in offices are sedentary. This has a negative impact on health. And when they have to work, freezing from the cold or languishing from unbearable heat, the situation worsens several times. To protect them, SanPiN rules were created that require maintaining a certain humidity and temperature in the office. Unfortunately, not all employees are aware of them, and employers, taking advantage of this, do not fulfill their responsibilities.

The rule clearly states that the temperature standard for people working in the office for 8 hours should be:

in summer - from 23 to 25°C;
in winter - from 22 to 24°C;
permitted deviation from the norm - 1-2°C;
The maximum temperature fluctuation on the thermometer during the day is 3-4 °C.

In addition, the regulatory documents specify the permissible humidity in the workplace. It varies from 40 to 60 percent. Maximum speed wind speed is from 0.1 to 0.3 meters per second. Therefore, the boss does not have the right to force people to work in a draft or in close proximity to a functioning air conditioner. If your workplace located exactly there, you can legally change it to improve working conditions.

Rule execution algorithm

Sanitary standards stipulate not only temperature requirements. It provides detailed recommendations on what to do when comfortable working conditions are not met and the temperature cannot be maintained.

Many employees are not aware that by law they must be in the office full time if the room temperature fluctuates between 20-28 °C. A deviation upward or downward is a serious reason to reduce labor time. Each extra degree reduces work by 1 hour.

If the boss has not prepared the room, installed a good ventilation system and a powerful air conditioner, then the summer heat in the office will not take long to arrive.

A thermometer mark of 29°C means being in the office for 7 hours, 30°C - 6 hours, 31°C - 5 hours.
When the heat reaches 32.5°C, you only need to come to work for 1 hour.
If the thermometer in the room shows even higher, you can safely stay at home; you cannot work in such conditions.

Cold is no less dangerous to health and productivity than heat, so when the temperature drops to 19°C, the working day is reduced by an hour. With each degree, the time spent in the office decreases proportionally. When the room freezes so much that the thermometer starts to show 13°C, you only need to stay there for an hour. And if the temperature drops even lower, don’t hesitate to stay home to avoid getting sick from hypothermia at work.

As you know, warm air flows tend to rise up, and cold air flows tend to fall down, therefore, measuring the temperature at different heights in the office, you can find an error of several degrees. To exclude manipulation by employees or management, normative act requires installing the thermometer at a meter height from the floor. This is the only way his testimony is considered reliable, and the workers’ claims are justified.

What can the employee do?

When the air temperature is above normal or too low, and the employee feels that such a microclimate poses a health risk, action must be taken. According to the law, a person can refuse to perform his job duties for a while.

You cannot simply not come to work, citing the fact that SanPiN standards are not being met. You must write an official statement indicating the reasons for absence from work. In the document it is advisable to mention Article 379 of the Labor Code, which says that the implementation labor responsibilities should not pose a health risk. It also notes that every person has the right, for the purpose of self-defense, not to go to work until conditions meet the standards.

A correctly completed application is a guarantee that the employee will retain his job and all the rights provided for by labor legislation.

If the temperature regime is violated, but the employee continues to work at full capacity, each extra hour is considered overtime and by law must be paid as overtime.

How can a boss circumvent the law?

In response to the employee's demands set out in the application, the employer may offer an alternative solution to the problem.

According to sanitary standards, if the microclimate does not comply with the established rules, it is necessary to limit the time spent in such a room, and not to reduce the length of the working day. Therefore, the boss can legally:

invite employees to move to another office space where working conditions meet generally accepted requirements;
increase the lunch break time in proportion to the shortening of the working day due to temperature violations, providing workers with a comfortable place to rest. This measure is often used when the temperature in the office ceases to comply with the rules by several degrees.

These methods do not solve the problem, but are a trick on the part of the employer to circumvent the current labor protection law. Therefore, it is necessary to demand from the management to adjust the functioning of the heating system, carry out work on insulating the walls and install air conditioners in the office.

Punishment for the employer

Many bosses of large and small companies demand that employees work in inappropriate conditions, threatening them with dismissal. Therefore, you need to be interested in your rights and defend them, relying on the state, which in this matter is completely on the side of the workers.

Article 163 of the Labor Code states that the boss is obliged to provide decent working conditions to all subordinates. If he does not do the work to normalize the microclimate, he can be put under control. To do this, you should write an application to the sanitary-epidemiological service of the Russian Federation and to the labor inspectorate. Organizations are required to send the verification to the designated office. If violations are recorded, the employer will need to pay a fine of 10 to 20 thousand rubles.

If this measure does not force the boss to improve working conditions, upon repeated inspection, the company’s work may be suspended for 3 months, based on article on administrative violations 6.3.

It rarely goes to such extremes, because it is easier for management to install in the office necessary equipment, maintaining a normal microclimate, than to participate in various proceedings regarding violations of temperature standards. In addition, labor productivity directly depends on comfort in the workplace, which is important for an experienced manager.

Optimal microclimate characteristics in the workplace not only contribute to good labor productivity, but also preserve the health of workers. That is why creating favorable climatic conditions in production is definitely beneficial for every manager. However, only a few of them strive to comply with sanitary and hygienic standards in the field of temperature control. This can be explained very simply: maintaining an optimal microclimate requires expensive climate control equipment. And the very concept of “microclimate” is very subjective, because it is known that all people perceive the same temperature differently. Meanwhile Russian legislation contains clear requirements for the microclimate in production premises and determines the types of temperature conditions depending on the assigned category.

Premises of the first category

These premises are divided into two subcategories: “a” and “b”. Their main difference is the type of actions performed by workers.

Employees of a category “a” enterprise are engaged in sedentary work that involves little physical activity. The intensity of energy consumption in organizations of this category should not exceed 139 W. Examples of such industries are sewing shops, watch factories, instrument-making and automobile production, etc. Optimal temperature in this case it is in the range of 21-28 degrees.

The requirements for premises of subcategory "b" are slightly different. Here, ensuring an optimal microclimate should be carried out in such a way that the temperature is maintained at least 20 degrees. The intensity of energy consumption in such premises should be no more than 174 W.

Premises of the second category

The next category of premises is characterized not only by increased energy consumption (over 232 W), but also by the nature of work responsibilities. Subcategory “a” involves moving and moving small loads by workers in a sitting or standing position. For this subcategory, the optimal temperature range is 18-27 degrees.

The work of workers in subcategory "b" involves lifting moderately heavy loads (1-10 kg), and the lower temperature limit for them is at 16 degrees. The second category of production includes forging and rolling workshops, assembly shops and conveyor lines of various enterprises.

Premises of the third category

In the case when the intensity of energy consumption at an enterprise is above 290 W, it is advisable to talk about a room of the third category. The most precise temperature conditions have been established for them. Workers in such industries engage in heavy physical labor and move loads weighing more than 10 kg. The optimal temperature in this case is within 15-26 degrees, i.e. this is the lowest temperature regime. The premises of the third category include workshops for metal processing, assembly of building structures, etc.

Dependence of temperature on season

Temperature standards for various types enterprises may fluctuate within insignificant limits depending on the time of year. The permissible temperature fluctuation limit is 3-4 degrees. For calculation temperature norm The daily average is used since it is different for different seasons. Of course, optimal temperature conditions at an enterprise cannot be determined solely by standards; many other factors must be taken into account (for example, the recommended temperature conditions for operating equipment), as well as the individual characteristics of the worker’s body.

Temperature recording

Temperature control cannot be carried out correctly without the use of special measuring instruments. Of course, we are not talking about household thermometers. At a minimum, these should be thermometers intended for use in office and industrial premises. The measurement procedure itself is also different. For example, when monitoring temperature conditions in summer, measurements must be carried out on days when the deviation of instrument readings from the corresponding readings of the hottest month does not exceed 5 degrees.

The frequency of such measurements depends on many factors. Among them we can note the stability of work operations, stages production processes, operation of communication systems, etc. On average, this procedure must be carried out 3 times per work shift.

Methods of temperature regulation

This function is performed by communication systems, namely: ventilation, heating, ventilation and thermal insulation systems. Another way to control temperature is through air cooling devices (such as air conditioners). Special systems air showering also ensures regulation of air injection speed and organization of optimal temperature conditions.

If the design of the premises does not allow the installation of such equipment, it is necessary to equip a special room for employees to rest.

Consequences of non-compliance with temperature conditions

Complaints from enterprise employees about temperature conditions in organizations that do not meet standards are, unfortunately, not uncommon. If there is no response from management in response to a written notification to employees about an uncomfortable microclimate, they have the legal right to go to court demanding financial compensation for moral and physical harm caused to them.

In this case, the manager faces administrative punishment in the form of a fine of several tens of thousands of rubles. Also, by court decision, an enterprise can be temporarily closed for a period of up to three months.

Shortening working hours due to temperature

The decision to reduce working hours is made by the head of the enterprise. The reason for this may be extremely low or high temperature conditions. However, the workers themselves can demand this, since, according to the Labor Code of the Russian Federation, the workplace must necessarily comply with state standards, and the work process must not have a harmful effect on the body. According to the rules, if temperature measurements taken three times during one work shift show a significant deviation from the norm, the manager may decide to shorten the working day.

If workers work outdoors, it is necessary to organize special breaks for heating, which are taken into account in working hours.

Thus, the task of every manager is to provide comfortable working conditions for his employees, since their activity itself involves a certain load on the body. It is a mistake to believe that the work of office workers does not require temperature control. As is known, exercise stress helps keep the body in good shape, as a result of which the impact of the temperature regime is not felt as strongly as during sedentary work. In addition, monotonous work and great responsibility involve a large psychological load on the body, which contributes to the development of cardiovascular diseases.

Therefore, maintaining an optimal microclimate in production helps not only to increase labor efficiency, but also to prevent harmful effects on the health of employees.