The government has urged strict adherence to the maximum workplace temperature standards established in 2082 BS. The Ministry of Labour had approved these standards on 30th Poush 2082 BS, categorizing work intensity into four groups—light, moderate, hard, and very hard—with specific temperature limits set for each.
16 Chaitra, Kathmandu. In line with the 2082 BS standard, the government has requested rigorous implementation of maximum permissible temperature levels at workplaces. Under the guidance of the Ministry of Labour, Employment and Social Security, the Department of Labour and Occupational Safety strictly emphasized compliance with the standards in a letter issued on 15 Chaitra. The Ministry had formally approved these occupational temperature limits on 30th Poush 2082 BS.
To ensure workplaces are dignified and safe from an occupational health and safety perspective, the Department has called upon labour and employment offices, employers, workers, and stakeholders to effectively enforce the standards. Department spokesperson Maninath Gopal stated that failure to comply with the approved standards will result in legal action according to existing laws. The standards divide work into four categories: light, moderate, hard, and very hard.
According to the standard, the maximum wet-bulb globe temperature (WBGT) should be 32.2 degrees Celsius for light work, 30.6 degrees for moderate work, 28.9 degrees for hard work, and 26.9 degrees Celsius for very hard work. Light work includes tasks such as sitting or standing to control machines and performing simple hand operations like cutting with hand tools or handling light materials. Moderate work involves continuous hand and arm activity, including pushing or pulling light objects, rearranging chairs, and moving items back and forth.
Hard work consists of physically demanding tasks that affect muscles, such as lifting, digging, carrying, or pushing heavy objects, and walking at a fast pace. Very hard work includes extremely strenuous activities performed at high to maximum speeds. The standards also specify that air velocity at 1.5 meters above ground should exceed 1.5 meters per second. Furthermore, the wet bulb temperature must always be lower than the dry bulb temperature but equal at 100% relative humidity.
If work must be performed outside the prescribed temperature ranges, appropriate safety control measures must be implemented, such as the use of personal protective equipment and rotation of work shifts, as stipulated within the standards.
