Federally in the U.S., there is no strict maximum legal temperature limit for most workplaces. OSHA only recommends that thermostats remain between 68°F and 78°F. However, in regions like California, employers must implement safety measures—like providing water and shade—when indoor temperatures or heat indexes hit 82°F.
It requires employers to adopt safety measures when indoor temps reach 82 degrees Fahrenheit. But federally, there are no specific limits. That doesn't mean you have no heat stress rights. Regulators design workplace safety regulations to cover all sorts of hazards.
Am I protected in law if I leave work or refuse to attend work because I am too hot? In sum, not necessarily. If you and your colleagues are too hot at work, your priority should be to notify the employer and insist that they act to reduce the risks.
OSHA does recommend temperature control in the range of 68-76°F. The qualities of good indoor air quality (IAQ) should include comfortable temperature and humidity, adequate supply of fresh outdoor air and control of pollutants from inside and outside of the building.
You have a right to make a complaint to Cal/OSHA, the agency in charge of making sure that workplaces are safe for all workers. Cal/OSHA will investigate if you and other workers are in danger of heat illness or death and will not ask you about your immigration status.
OSHA's Top 10 Most Frequently Cited Standards
The 20-20-20 rule is an ergonomic guideline to prevent digital eye strain. It recommends that for every 20 minutes spent looking at a screen, you should take 20 seconds to look at an object at least 20 feet away.
Let your boss know when, where and for how long employees are facing extreme temperatures. Describe the symptoms you and others have experienced in detail. These fact sheets (for cold and hot, respectively) detail employer responsibilities for a safe workplace.
Whether 77∘F77 raised to the composed with power F77∘F is considered "hot" depends heavily on the context and where you live.
There is no maximum temperature for workplaces. However, all workers are entitled to an environment where risks to their health and safety are properly controlled.
Yes, employers can be liable for heat-related injuries, especially if they failed to take reasonable steps to protect workers from known heat hazards.
There's no law for minimum or maximum working temperatures, for example when it's too cold or too hot to work. However, guidance suggests a minimum of 16ºC or 13ºC if employees are doing physical work. There's no guidance for a maximum temperature limit.
If your office is too hot, take immediate action to drop your body temperature: drink plenty of cold water, position a desk fan to create airflow (directing it at your upper body rather than your head), and keep the sun out by closing your blinds or curtains.
Heat Standards in Specific States
The following states have standards for heat exposure: California. California's Heat Illness Prevention Standard requires employers to provide training, water, shade, and planning. A temperature of 80°F triggers the requirements.
CFMEU EBAs state that workers will stop work and leave site when the temperature reaches 35 degrees. OHS reps should not wait until the temperature reaches 35° to act. Clause 35.9. 2 of the EBA calls on reps to consult with management when the temperature is expected to reach 35°.
"While there are no specific federal regulations about working in extreme cold or heat, you do have a right to a workplace “free from recognized hazards.” That includes exposure to extreme cold and heat."
Japanese people typically sleep in cooler bedroom temperatures, averaging around 55∘F55 raised to the composed with power F𝟓𝟓∘𝐅 (13∘C13 raised to the composed with power C𝟏𝟑∘𝐂) during the winter. Because traditional homes often have low insulation and bedrooms are rarely heated overnight, comfort relies heavily on layering thermal pajamas and using thick, insulating comforters (kakefuton).
Yes, keeping your AC at 78∘F78 raised to the composed with power F78∘F is highly effective at lowering your cooling bills. The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) specifically recommends 78∘F78 raised to the composed with power F78∘F as the optimal balance for summer comfort and efficiency.
Yes, summer 2026 is forecast to be hotter than average for much of the United States and potentially one of the warmest on record globally, driven by a developing El Niño and long-term climate trends. The hottest conditions are expected in the Northwest and Great Basin, with significant heat potential likely building by July and August.
Symptoms
Because of this, they cannot designate one specific workplace temperature; however, OSHA does have some workplace temperature regulations, stating that employers set the thermostat between 68 and 78 degrees.
A toxic work environment is a workplace where negative behaviors, interpersonal conflict, and poor management become the norm. It leaves employees feeling psychologically unsafe, drained, and chronically stressed, which ultimately hinders their well-being and productivity.
The most common OSHA violation is Fall Protection – General Requirements (Standard 1926.501). It consistently ranks as the most frequently cited violation, primarily impacting the construction industry. This standard requires employers to provide fall protection (like guardrails, safety nets, or personal fall arrest systems) whenever employees are working on surfaces with an unprotected edge of 6 feet or more.
Testing to establish a baseline audiogram shall be preceded by at least 14 hours without exposure to workplace noise. Hearing protectors may be used as a substitute for the requirement that baseline audiograms be preceded by 14 hours without exposure to workplace noise.
The 5 E's of Workplace Safety — Engineering, Education, Enforcement, Engagement, and Evaluation — provide a structured framework for building that system. Each “E” addresses a different dimension of risk management. Together, they create layered protection that strengthens both compliance and culture.