Overview
- Federal rules require employers to maintain minimum indoor temperatures tied to work type, for example 20 °C for mainly seated light work, 19 °C for light standing or medium sitting tasks, 17 °C for medium standing or walking tasks and 12 °C for heavy physical work.
- Break, sanitary, canteen, readiness and first-aid rooms must reach at least 21 °C during the time they are used to protect workers when they rest or receive care.
- If temperatures fall below legal limits employers must act quickly by repairing heating, sealing drafts, installing interim mobile heaters or radiant heaters and adjusting ventilation to restore safe conditions.
- For outdoor winter work the BAuA says a health risk is present at +5 °C or below and defines three cold stages (+5 to −5 °C, −5 to −20 °C, below −20 °C) that trigger measures such as shorter exposure times, scheduled warm-up breaks and cold-protective clothing.
- Protection should follow the TOP sequence—technical fixes first, then organisational changes like shift scheduling, and finally personal measures such as issuing suitable clothing—and workers should report problems to supervisors or the works council if employers do not act.