Updated October 2026. We supply and brand workwear; we are not health and safety advisers. For decisions about your own workplace, use HSE guidance and your own risk assessment.
Every winter the same question comes up in offices, warehouses and on site: is it actually too cold to work? The short version is that UK law doesn't give a number, but official guidance does, and employers are expected to act on it. Here is what the rules say, how the 16°C figure works in practice, and what you can do about it before the cold snap arrives.
Quick answer: There is no legal minimum working temperature in the UK. The law says indoor workplaces must be kept at a "reasonable" temperature during working hours. HSE's Approved Code of Practice says that should normally be at least 16°C, or 13°C where much of the work involves rigorous physical effort. There is no maximum, and no fixed figure for outdoor work. Instead, employers must assess the risk and protect people with heating, breaks and suitable clothing.
Is there a legal minimum working temperature in the UK?
No. The GOV.UK guidance on workplace temperatures is explicit: there is no law setting a minimum or maximum working temperature. What the law does require, under the Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992, is that the temperature in indoor workplaces is reasonable during working hours.
The 16°C figure people quote comes from the Approved Code of Practice (ACoP) that sits alongside those regulations. An ACoP isn't law in the same way the regulations are, but it carries real weight: it is HSE's statement of what compliance normally looks like. In practice, an employer who keeps a workroom well below 16°C for seated work would need a good reason and other controls in place.
Employers also have a wider duty under the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations to assess risks, and HSE lists temperature as one of the risks to assess, indoors or out. Northern Ireland has equivalent rules overseen by HSENI.
The 16°C rule, and the 13°C exception
According to HSE, the minimum temperature for working indoors should normally be at least 16°C, or 13°C if much of the work involves rigorous physical effort. Here is how that tends to play out:
| Type of work | Guideline minimum |
|---|---|
| Seated or light work: offices, shops, reception, call centres | At least 16°C |
| Work involving rigorous physical effort: warehouse picking, loading, many trades | At least 13°C |
| Outdoor work: building sites, grounds, deliveries, events | No figure. Manage through risk assessment |
| Rooms that must be cold: cold stores, chilled food areas | No figure. Use local heating, warm rest areas and protective clothing |
The word "normally" matters. Some workplaces can't reach 16°C because the process needs them cold. HSE's answer there isn't to ignore the guidance but to manage it: warm rest facilities, limited exposure, and warm clothing for people working in cold stores.
What about working outdoors in the cold?
There is no minimum temperature for outdoor work, because you can't heat a car park or a building site. Instead, HSE's outdoor working guidance expects employers to:
- make sure the protective clothing and PPE issued is appropriate for the cold
- provide somewhere to warm up, plus hot drinks or soup
- introduce more frequent rest breaks
- consider delaying work until warmer times, where that doesn't compromise safety
- make sure workers can recognise the early symptoms of cold stress
On construction sites, the CDM Regulations add a specific duty: outdoor sites must give protection from adverse weather, and site rest facilities must be kept at an appropriate temperature.
What employers should do when it gets cold
For indoor workplaces, HSE suggests a mix of fixing the building and changing how work is organised:
- Heat the space that's in use. Adequate heating, including portable heaters where needed, so work areas are warm when occupied.
- Cut draughts, not ventilation. Reduce draughts while still keeping fresh air moving.
- Think about floors. Insulating floor coverings or suitable footwear for people standing for long periods on cold floors.
- Change the work pattern. Job rotation, flexible working and enough breaks for people to warm up and get a hot drink.
- Provide suitable clothing. Appropriate protective clothing for cold environments.
- Ask the people affected. Consult workers or their representatives on how best to cope.
Acas adds two points worth acting on. First, consider relaxing dress codes so staff can wear warmer clothing, while still following PPE rules. Second, your risk assessment must take account of people who may be affected more by the cold, including anyone pregnant or with a health condition or disability.
Where winter workwear fits in
Clothing is one of the controls HSE expects, but it isn't a substitute for heating an office to a reasonable temperature. Where it really earns its place is on outdoor teams, in cold stores and warehouses, and for anyone who moves between a warm building and the outdoors all day.
The most effective approach is layering rather than one heavy coat. A breathable base layer, a fleece mid layer and a windproof outer layer let people adjust as they warm up. Our winter workwear guide covers the full system. In short:
- Mid layer: embroidered fleeces are the warmest-for-the-money layer. Our fleece weights guide explains which weight suits which job.
- Core warmth without bulk: branded gilets and bodywarmers keep the torso warm while leaving arms free for physical work.
- Extremities: a large share of discomfort comes from cold heads, necks and hands. Beanies and snoods and neck warmers are cheap and make a noticeable difference.
- Dark mornings: winter means working in low light, so outdoor teams usually need hi-vis outer layers as well as warm ones.
One practical point: where cold-weather clothing is required as protective equipment, the employer has to provide it and can't charge staff for it. Check with your health and safety adviser which items count as PPE in your workplace.
Timing matters too. Search interest in working temperatures peaks in January, which is usually when teams realise their kit isn't up to it. Branded orders from us are typically dispatched 7 to 14 working days after you approve a free digital proof, so ordering in October or November means the kit arrives before the coldest weeks.
Frequently asked questions
Can I refuse to work if it's too cold?
Feeling cold doesn't normally give you a general right to stop work. Start by raising it with your manager, then your health and safety representative or union if you have one. If that doesn't resolve it, Acas and HSE can advise. Separate legal protections exist where someone reasonably believes there is serious and imminent danger, but that is a high bar and worth taking advice on first.
Is 17 degrees cold for an office?
17°C is above the 16°C guideline, so it meets HSE's suggested minimum. "Reasonable" also depends on the work, though, and many people find 17°C cool for long periods of desk work. Local heating, reducing draughts and allowing warmer clothing are sensible responses if staff are uncomfortable.
Is there a maximum working temperature in the UK?
No. HSE says no meaningful upper limit can be set because some workplaces, such as bakeries and foundries, are hot by nature. Heat is still treated as a hazard that employers must assess and control.
Does the minimum temperature apply when working from home?
Acas says the employer's duty of care to keep working temperatures reasonable includes people working from home. How that's managed is different, so it's worth covering in your homeworking risk assessment.
Can we still make staff wear uniform when it's cold?
Yes, but Acas suggests being flexible with dress codes in extreme temperatures. The simplest fix is to add branded winter layers, such as a fleece, gilet or beanie, so staff stay warm and still look like your team.
Kit your team out before the cold sets in
Tell us how many people you need to kit out, what they do and which layers you're considering. We'll come back within one working day with a quote and a free digital proof, with no minimum order. Request a quote.
