§ Mr. Ernie Rossasked the Secretary of State for Employment what are the minimum and maximum prescribed temperatures in working establishments in Scotland; if any or all are allowed a period of time following the beginning of the working day to attain maximum temperatures; and if he will list the establishments affected.
§ Mr. GummerThe temperature requirements for working establishments in Scotland are the same as for the rest of Great Britain.
Not all working establishments are subject to specific maximum and minimum temperatures, but there are general requirements under the Factories Act 1961 and the Offices, Shops and Railway Premises Act 1963 for a "reasonable temperature" to be maintained and in addition the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 imposes general duties on employers to ensure the health, safety and welfare of employees at work within the limits of what is reasonably practicable. There are also a number of regulations which were made under the Factories Acts which specify maximum and minimum temperatures in workplaces in particular industries. Most of those requirements allow a period of time (half to one hour) following the beginning of a working day to attain the minimum temperatures.
It is not practicable to list all the establishments in Scotland which are subject to health and safety legislation affecting temperatures at work.