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*                        INFORMATION ALERT                          *  
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*  Produced by:  Saskatchewan Human Resources,                      *  
*                Labour and Employment                              *  
*  Provided by:  Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety *  
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COLD CONDITIONS GUIDELINES FOR INDOOR WORKPLACES  
  
  
*** OBJECTIVE:  ***  
  
  These guidelines are designed to assist employers, occupational health  
  committee members and workers to prevent chilling and discomfort.  
  
  
*** LEGISLATION:  ***  
  
  Section 33(1) of 'The Occupational Health and Safety Regulations'  
  requires that every employer shall provide and maintain, in every  
  indoor place of employment, thermal conditions including air  
  temperature, radiant temperature, humidity and air movement which are  
  reasonable and appropriate to the nature of the work performed.  
  
  The most comfortable temperature range for working indoors is from  
  18C-22C (65F-72F).  Cold air drafts from open outside doors make it  
  difficult to mainain this temperature range in workplaces such as  
  grocery and department stores.  This problem is often worse in the  
  warehouse, shipping and receiving areas.  
  
  
*** GUIDELINES:  ***  
  
  In indoor workplaces where still-air temperatures vary from  
  approximately 15C-18C (60F-65F) workers will often feel chilled  
  because of restricted work activity.  Discomfort can usually be  
  prevented by wearing additional clothing and warm footwear.  If  
  workers must work from time to time in temperatures below 15C (60F),  
  special measures should be taken by the employer to prevent chilling.  
  These measures may include 10 minute warm-up breaks or regular  
  rotation of the workers to warmer areas as required.  
  
  Where cold air drafts occur, corrective measures should be taken by  
  the employer to protect workers.  Thses measures could include  
  providing:  
  
      - heated air curtains;  
      - other methods for heating in-coming air;  and/or  
      - barriers or local heaters.  
  
  Where drafts cannot be contolled, warm-up breaks or worker roations  
  may be needed.  The following chart provides general guidelines.  
  
  
|---------------------------------------------------------------------  
|THERMAL RANGE |        NO DRAFTS          | PLUS COLD AIR DRAFTS AND  
|              |                           | TEMPERATURE FLUNCTUATIONS  
|---------------------------------------------------------------------  
| 18C-22C      | Most comfortable          | Moderate chilling - workers  
| (65F-72F)    | temperature range, no     | have the option of wearing  
|              | additional measures       | additional clothing (e.g.  
|              | measures needed.          | sweaters and warm footwear.  
|---------------------------------------------------------------------  
| 15C-18C      | Moderate chilling -       | Marked discomfort - special  
| (60F-65F)    | workers have the          | measures needed (e.g., 10  
|              | option of wearing         | minute warm-up breaks or  
|              | additional clothing       | regular worker rotation).  
|              | (e.g. sweaters, and       |  
|              | warm footwear).           |  
|---------------------------------------------------------------------  
| 15C (60F)    | Marked discomfort -       | Steps must be taken to  
| and below    | special measures          | increase heat and/or  
|              | needed (e.g. 10 minute    | control drafts.  
|              | warm-up breaks or regular |  
|              | worker rotation).         |  
|---------------------------------------------------------------------  
  
  
  
Bulletin HU 7, Nov. 1990  
  
  
  
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