Every Canadian has the right to refuse unsafe work in the workplace in general. When it comes to temperature specific issues, each provinces handles things a little differently.
What temperature can you refuse to work in Alberta?
Alberta does not have specific legal requirements when it comes to workplace temperature.
However, employers must still provide a healthy and safe environment including maintaining an adequate indoor temperature and air quality.
This is often called the “general duty clause”, which requires employers to ensure the health and safety and welfare of their employees as much as it is reasonably practicable for the employer to do so.
Employers should adopt good practices and accepted industry standards to fulfill their duties. Part 2 of Alberta’s Occupational Health and Safety Code requires employers to also assess and control hazards that workers may be exposed to at the work site.
Alberta Guidelines for Working in the Heat and Cold
There are no temperature restrictions for work in Alberta, but the safety guidelines recommend an indoor temperature of 23-28°C in summer and 20-25°C in winter, when the relative humidity is closer to 30%.
In Summary
- There are no official temperature restrictions for working in Alberta.
- Alberta only has a set of guidelines for worker health and safety.
- Any Alberta worker has the right to refuse unsafe work.
