Companies warned over employment law after retailer is prosecuted

Posted 02/12/2010

Businesses across the UK have been warned they must comply with employment law surrounding temperature after a retailer was prosecuted for keeping its working conditions too cold.

Carlisle Council recently visited the city’s Internacionale store and found it to be well below 16 degrees C in several areas of the shop. Although an improvement order was served, the retailer failed to comply and was fined £2,000.

An investigation found that no alterations had taken place to improve the heating and doors were routinely left open.

Carlisle councilor Ray Sloxham commented: “Health and safety legislation ensures that all employees, regardless of where they work, have working conditions that are fit for their needs and do not jeopardise their health and wellbeing.”

Indeed, Section 21 of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 states that temperatures in workplaces should fall no lower than 16 degrees C, or 13 degrees C where workers are involved in physical activity.

This could be particularly important during the current cold snap in Britain.