UNOFFICIAL OHS DATABASE
Key: air conditioning,
temperature
References:
» Comfort at work - too hot? too cold? (NOHSC)
» Work In Hot Environments, Fact Sheet (NSW WorkCover)
» Code of Practice for Hot and Cold Environments (NSW WorkCover)
» Heat Stress (Safetyline WA)
» Why is working in the heat bad for your health? (Workers Health Centre)
Concerns with the temperature in a workplace can be raised with an:
·
employer
· building manager
· safety committee
· union
· OHS enforcement authority
» Ordinance 70 of the Local Government Act, 1919 and the Building Code of Australia stipulate the requirements for ventilation in accordance with Australian Standard 1668-1991, "The use of Mechanical Ventilation and Air-Conditioning in Buildings".
» The Building Code of Australia 1996 requires (in clause F4.5) that all occupied rooms must have either natural ventilation or a mechanical ventilation system (such as an air-conditioning system) that complies with AS 1668.2 "Mechanical Ventilation for Acceptable Indoor Air Quality". This standard sets minimum requirements for air supply rates for preventing excessive accumulations of airborne contaminants and objectionable odours.
» Inquiries regarding inadequate general ventilation or performance of air-conditioning systems can be made to the compliance section of the appropriate local government centre. See contact details for local councils.
» Inquiries regarding registration of ventilation systems can be directed to a council's building services section.