Working in a stuffy or cold office reduces productivity and harms your health. But few people know that Kazakhstan law clearly regulates the temperature conditions in workplaces. Let’s break down how many degrees an office should have and what to do if the norms are violated.
What the Law Says
The temperature in office premises is regulated by two main documents:
- Order of the Minister of Health of the Republic of Kazakhstan dated February 16, 2022 No. KR DSM-15 “On Approval of Hygienic Standards for Physical Factors Affecting Humans” — contains specific figures for temperature, humidity, and air velocity.
- Order of the Minister of Health of the Republic of Kazakhstan dated June 16, 2022 No. KR DSM-52 “Sanitary and Epidemiological Requirements for Administrative and Residential Buildings.”
- Article 184 of the Labor Code of the Republic of Kazakhstan — guarantees the employee’s right to safe working conditions, including compliance of temperature with sanitary standards.
Office Temperature Norms
Office work falls under Category Ia — work performed sitting with minimal physical exertion (managers, accountants, programmers, operators). The following norms are established for this category:
| Period | Optimal Temperature | Permissible Temperature |
|---|---|---|
| Cold season (daily avg. t < +10°C / 50°F) | 22–24°C (72–75°F) | 21–25°C (70–77°F) |
| Warm season (daily avg. t ≥ +10°C / 50°F) | 23–25°C (73–77°F) | up to 28°C (82°F) |
Important: if the temperature goes beyond the permissible limits, working conditions are considered to violate sanitary norms.
What to Do If You Are an Employee
If the office is too hot or cold and your employer does nothing:
1. Document the Violation
Take a temperature reading in the presence of colleagues. Draw up an act in any form stating the date, time, location, and thermometer readings. Have it signed by 2–3 witnesses.
2. Notify the Employer in Writing
Send a memo or application addressed to the manager requesting the violation be corrected. Be sure to register the document with the records office or get a receipt stamp.
3. File a Complaint with Government Authorities
If there is no response, file a complaint with:
- Committee for Sanitary and Epidemiological Control (territorial department)
- State Labor Inspectorate
4. Exercise Your Right to Refuse Work
Under Article 184 of the Labor Code of the Republic of Kazakhstan, if there is a threat to life and health due to non-compliance of working conditions with sanitary standards, you have the right to refuse to perform work until the violations are eliminated. Your salary is retained during this period.
Important: before refusing, notify the employer in writing of the reason — to avoid accusations of absenteeism.
What to Do If You Are a Business Owner
As an employer, you are obligated to provide safe working conditions. Non-compliance with temperature norms carries:
- Administrative fines
- Orders to eliminate violations
- Suspension of business operations
How to Bring the Microclimate Up to Standard
To ensure your office meets the norms, you must:
- Audit the ventilation and air conditioning systems
- Conduct workplace certification
- Install or upgrade climate control equipment
KlimatPROF Kazakhstan — Your Microclimate Partner
We professionally design, supply, and install air conditioning, ventilation, and heating systems for offices and commercial facilities throughout Kazakhstan.
Our services:
- ✅ Climate system design compliant with RK norms
- ✅ Supply of equipment from leading brands
- ✅ Turnkey installation and commissioning
- ✅ Service maintenance and repair
Contact KlimatPROF Kazakhstan — and we will solve the temperature issue in your office at a professional level.