Does OSHA have a minimum requirement for temperature inside a workplace?

“As a general rule, office temperature and humidity are matters of human comfort. OSHA has no regulations specifically addressing temperature and humidity in an office setting. However, Section III, Chapter 2, Subsection V of the OSHA Technical Manual, "Recommendations for the Employer," provides engineering and administrative guidance to prevent or alleviate indoor air quality problems. Air treatment is defined under the engineering recommendations as, "the removal of air contaminants and/or the control of room temperature and humidity." OSHA recommends temperature control in the range of 68-76° F and humidity control in the range of 20%-60%.”

Osha Workplace Temperature

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Does OSHA have a minimum requirement for temperature inside a workplace?

I work at a retail company and my store during this winter season has been averaging from 56-59 degrees during normal operating hours. It is becoming a great concern to the employees and management has been doing nothing to resolve the issue. Any thoughts/suggestions?

When it gets to a point that it is a threat to your well-being, then they can get involved. But 56 - 59 degrees is not a threat. Best advise is to bring a sweater or light jacket to wear.

What is a threat to your well-being? When it is extremely cold, and long exposure can cause frostbite or hypothermia. And that's mostly only going be found outdoors, and those people working in those conditions are allowed to warm up in "56-59 degree" conditions.

There's no hard number for minimum temperatures. But there have been cases where the employer was fined because the temperature in the workplace created a dangerous condition for employees.

The threshold is "dangerous conditions"

If not OSHA, I am sure that in your state/city/community there is some regulation about employee working conditions. In the past ~20 years government has intruded into all areas of private employment, and it would seem impossible for a code or regulation not to address workplace temperature. If necessary, find a lawyer who specializes in work related issues.

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56 degrees is perfectly safe, and that is all that OSHA controls, not comfort. Many people work outside, in every weather. Many work in refrigerated warehouses.

Wear a sweater.

Here is an OSHO interpretive bulletin that explains the situation:

http://www.osha.gov/pls/oshaweb/owadisp.show_docum...

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6 Celsius or 21 Fahrenheit

Not in the US. The range of businesses and buildings make such a determination impossible.

Dress warm. Like anyone exposed to slightly colder job related temps.

No. Wear a sweater or a jacket.