The risk of becoming chilled is small in heated premises. However, the risk exists when physical activity is low. It can then be difficult to maintain a normal body temperature, especially in the outer parts of the body such as the hands and feet.

Some people may be particularly sensitive to cold. This may be due to normal variation among healthy individuals, but could also be due to injury and illness.

Adjust the air temperature with heating systems

Sometimes it gets cold indoors due to the climate outside or because the heating system is undersized for the job. The temperature can also be too low because the building is draughty and poorly insulated.

Temporary measures against indoor cold:

• Move to other premises
• Use temporary electric radiators or air heaters
• If possible, work from home.

Adjust the heating system capacity

The heating system must have the capacity to maintain a suitable temperature in the work premises. For sedentary work, when the body generates less heat, the temperature in winter should be 20–24°C. For mobile or more physically demanding work, it should be 14–15°C.

Heating systems are not normally designed to cope with the most extreme outdoor temperatures. This applies to occasional extremely cold days, as well as shorter periods of severe cold. So you have to accept that it will occasionally be colder than what is perceived as comfortable. During normal winter temperatures, however, the heating system can be required to maintain an appropriate temperature.

Adjust the temperature in parts of the premises

Sometimes it can be difficult to maintain a temperature that is suitable for employees throughout the premises due to the activities carried out. This applies, for example, in the food industry or at a glass factory.

The most important thing is to try to maintain a suitable temperature in the parts of the premises where people are mainly present. If this is not possible, other measures are required to reduce the risk of ill health and accidents.

• Adjust the working hours
• Take breaks in other rooms with a suitable temperature
• Wear suitable protective clothing.

Refrigerated food premises

Protect from draughts

Draughts are often perceived as a general cold and should therefore be avoided. High air velocities in a room can be caused by cold draughts from windows, by cold floors and walls, or by the ventilation system.

Ventilation supply air should always be supplied so that no troublesome draughts occur. With sedentary jobs in winter, air speeds lower than 0.15–0.2 m/s are usually perceived as draught-free. Heating devices should be placed under windows to avoid cold air from the window reaching the room.

If there is a door that leads to the outdoors or to a cooler room near a permanent workplace, it must be protected against draughts. This could be done with a double door (an 'airlock') or an air curtain, for example.

Working outdoors often exposes workers to both more heat and more cold than working indoors. At lower temperatures in winter, there is a risk of hypothermia and frostbite when working outdoors. The risk is particularly high in jobs where physical activity is low.

However, physical activity is usually higher when working outdoors and clothing is usually well adapted to the work in question. The greatest risks are associated with the combination of low temperature and high wind speed, as the wind chill effect can be severe.

Temporary measures against outdoor cold:

• More clothing
• Temporary windbreaks
• Adjust working hours

Arrange outdoor workplaces so that they protect employees

When it is cold outside, outdoor workplaces should be arranged so that employees are not exposed to wind, as cold air at high speed can chill the body in a short time. Temporary workplaces should, as far as possible, be designed to protect employees from the elements.

There is no minimum temperature limit that says when outdoor work must be stopped. In the building industry, for example, it is usually regulated in agreements between the parties.