Health and Safety Training
Temperature in places of work: DoLHot or Cold Classroom?
Even after a sweltering summer, the attraction of cooler classrooms soon wears off when the room temperature becomes unbearably cold. Every year about this time, ISEA is asked to explain the rules surrounding classroom temperatures. The law is not specific but the Department of Labour has issued guidelines.
The temperature range varies between sedentary and active occupations and most teaching is not in the active category (apart from sports related activities) which seems to be more physical work than classroom teaching. The comfort range calculation is actually a mixture of air temperature, relative humidity, air speed, radiant heat and clothing. However, for our purposes a simple recommended temperature range should be sufficient and this is 18-23 oC (and 19-24oC in summer).
It is not desirable for people to work in cold conditions and this is reflected by the Health and Safety in Employment Regulations 1995, Health and Safety in Employment Act 1992 and Health and Safety in Employment 1995. As the Department of Labour (DoL) say “If employees are experiencing discomfort some form of control will be necessary”. Any concerns can be addressed but ISEA would be a step in the process after contacting your supervisor’s manager and before contacting the DoL. (a full copy of the DoL fact sheet on ‘Temperatures in places of work’ is avavailable. Just click on the picture above).
Interested in Health and Safety?
The New Zealand Council of Trade Unions provides FREE training to elected Health and Safety Representatives at Stage 1, Stage 2 and Stage 3 courses. All courses are consecutive two day courses starting at 9.00am to 5.00pm. The courses are Department of Labour approved for employment leave. Contact your ISEA office for any queries.
If you register, both you and your employer will receive notification of a course date as they are organised in your region, approximately 28 days notice is given to both employer and the Health and Safety Representative. Dates, venue and a course outline will be included in your invitation.
Due to the high demand for training, the CTU prioritises Health and Safety Representatives who have been registered on their database the longest.
Health and Safety programme.
This is the two-day training programme for health and safety representatives under the Health and Safety in Employment Act.
Courses are free for elected health and safety representatives, and provides the knowledge and skills to perform the role effectively.
These courses have been approved under part 19G(1) and 46A of the Health and Safety in Employment Act 1992.
Contact ISEA and arrange for them to register elected health and safety representatives, or register direct on
http://training.worksafereps.org.nz
If you have any difficulties in registering, email: reneeh@nzctu.org.nz
If you require additional information, you can download a brochure (PDF 441kb) with information about the programme and how to participate.
Course outlines are available for download:
Stage One (PDF doc 79kb)
Stage Two (PDF doc 28kb)
Stage Three (PDF doc 29kb)
CTU Regional Health and Safety Training Coordinators: email:
patb@nzctu.org.nz - Auckland region
email: annem@nzctu.org.nz - Rotorua, Taranaki, Waikato and all Auckland DHB's (District Health Boards)
email:helenm@nzctu.org.nz - Wairarapa, Manawatu-Wanganui, Wellington, Nelson, South Canterbury
email:valh@nzctu.org.nz - Christchurch, Dunedin
Register on-line or
If you have problems registering, email healthandsafety@nzctu.org.nz
to send a message.
If you are unable to register online print off our
 registration form (downloads a PDF 64kb) and post to: NZCTU, Health and Safety P O Box 6645 Wellington
NB. These courses are organised by the CTU as classes are filled by interested registrations and are not run by ISEA.
Additional Resources.
Health and Safety in Employment Act 1992
Health and Safety in Employment Act 1992 (updated 2008)
Health and Safety CTU Website
Health and Safety NZEI Information
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