Hi all
We have worker who is claiming that there is a lower temperature for working outside. We are providing warm clothing and a portacabin where hot drinks/soup can be made. They are also claiming that we should have a thermometer inside and outside the portacabin. I can't find any guidance on this at all. Anyone have any info.

Thanks

No minimum for working outside. This country would have to come to a standstill every winter if there was.

Appropriate warm clothing must be provided, also somewhere warm for breaks and regular breaks if really cold.

Technically yes you should provide a thermometer for inside working environments to ensure you are meeting the minimum of 16deg. However, that is relatively cold so if the working environment is outside you would want to be providing warmer than that. Thermometers is in the Workplace Regs and the HSE provide a free leaflet on them.

Chris I don't know wher you got 13deg from. 13 deg is mentioned in the Regs re:lower limit for workplace temperatures when anual work is carrid out indoors but there is no lower limit for outside work. Especially not at 13 deg. Every farmer, construction worker, gardener, bin man etc etc would be breaking the law.

All have a look at http://www.hse.gov.uk/contact/faqs/temperature.htm

I think this is the only recommended minimum temp. What I mentioned earlier was for forestry but I can't find it now.

Probably; the 13deg C was also in the earlier Woodworking Machines Regs

Hi,
As far as I know employers should provide sufficient number of thermometers so the temperature can be measured at any part of the workplace indoors, its just indoors from the Welfare regs. and mins. 16deg C sedentary work, 13deg C active work indoors. We issued long johns to staff who had to work outside in winter together with other PPE.
Steve

I'm over in Kazakhstan and here in winter we regulalrly experience temperatures (with wind chill) between minus 20 and 30 and occasionally down to minus 40, we've therefore done quite a lot of work in the area of cold weather working.

Obviously the UK regs are not applicable to us but reaching in to the depths of of mind I can't remember any specific temperature guidance other than what has already been mentioned.

Two really important points though- one don't rely on the temperature alone, no one yet on the thread has mentioned the wind chill, I may be teaching some egg sucking here but remember the wind chill can turn a relativly warm day minus one or two in to a nightmare with a decent wind going. Get familiar with the wind chill chart and the effects of cold on the body.
Second as already been mentioned the RA is important but making sure its implemented is just as important. We are on a oilfield construction site and have very specific guidance on cold weather working, getting our contractors to apply it is sometimes more a challenge.
Terry I've pm'ed you as I may have something that may help,
Cheers for now
Ian

Claire pretty much hit the nail on the head in post #3 - the country would come to a standstill - wouldn't it? Do all the good stuff, provide appopriate clothing and consider the provision of breaks and access to hot drinks etc but can you imagine what would have happened over the last few weeks if there were such a minimum temp for working outside?