The everyday environment counts as health and safety
Lighting and temperature aren't just comfort issues — they're health and safety. The General Risk and Workplace Management Regulations 2016 require suitable and sufficient lighting so people can work and move around safely, and suitable ventilation so workers aren't harmed by extremes of heat or cold. Thermal comfort is whether a person feels too hot, too cold or just right; the HSWA isn't prescriptive, so there is no single legal temperature — you manage it as a risk, and a comfortable environment also lifts morale and productivity.
Under the General Risk and Workplace Management Regulations 2016, a PCBU must ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, that there is suitable and sufficient lighting so each worker can do their work and move around the workplace without risk, and suitable and sufficient ventilation so workers — including those working in extremes of heat or cold — can do so without risk. These sit under the HSWA primary duty to provide a work environment without health and safety risks.
Good lighting lets people see their work and hazards, and move safely. Match light levels to the task — fine or detailed work needs more — and control glare and reflections (a common cause of eye strain and headaches, and a factor in screen work). Keep emergency and exit lighting working for a safe exit in a power cut, maintain fittings and replace failed lamps, and use the AS/NZS 1680 interior-lighting standard as a reference for recommended levels.
Thermal comfort describes whether a person feels too hot, too cold or just right — and it depends on more than air temperature: humidity, air movement, radiant heat, clothing and how hard the work is all matter. Because the HSWA isn't prescriptive, there's no fixed legal temperature; you manage it as a risk.
| Too hot | Too cold |
|---|---|
| Deal with radiant heat sources first; add air conditioning, exhaust fans, building insulation, and blinds or reflective window coatings. | Provide adequate heating, reduce draughts, and give warm clothing and warm break areas where needed. |
This is about everyday comfort. For genuinely extreme environments, see working in heat and working in cold, and pair this with workplace facilities & welfare.
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No. The HSWA isn't prescriptive, so there is no fixed legal temperature. You must manage thermal comfort and any heat or cold risk so far as is reasonably practicable, taking account of humidity, air movement, radiant heat, clothing and the work being done.
The General Risk and Workplace Management Regulations 2016 require suitable and sufficient lighting so each worker can carry out their work, and people can move around the workplace, without risks to health and safety.
Thermal comfort is whether a person feels too hot, too cold or just right. It depends on more than air temperature — humidity, air movement, radiant heat, clothing and workload all play a part — and a comfortable environment improves health, morale and productivity.
Deal with radiant heat sources first, then add air conditioning, exhaust fans, building insulation and blinds or reflective window coatings. For genuinely extreme heat, see our working-in-heat guide.
Good lighting lets people see their work and hazards and move safely, and controlling glare reduces eye strain and headaches. Emergency and exit lighting also allows a safe exit in a power failure.
