Publish date: 8 December 2025
Please ensure careful consideration when selecting the type and use of portable heating appliances in the workplace. See guidance below to ensure safety when using portable heaters:
- They should be electrically powered. Portable heaters should be plugged directly into an electrical socket; the use of extension leads and block adaptors should be avoided.
- Convection heaters or oil filled radiators are safer. Appliances with exposed radiant elements should not be used
- Heaters should have a built-in thermostat to prevent overheating and be of a type approved by the British Electrotechnical Approvals Board (BEAB).
- Site heaters as per the manufacturer’s instructions and in locations where they will not be subject to damage or being knocked over, and away from combustible materials. They should not be site in escape routes, corridors, staircases or in confined spaces, cupboards, ducts or passageways.
- Maintain a clear space of at least 1m on all sides between a heater and combustible goods other readily ignitable materials or combustible elements of construction.
- The use of heaters should be managed and include not leaving heaters in operation and unattended, monitoring their location and proximity to combustible materials, and ensuring they are turned off at the end of each period of work.
- Heaters should be suitably maintained and cleaned in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions, be subject to regular visual inspections to check for damage and incorrect operation, and be included in a portable appliance testing regime.
- Faulty and damaged heaters should be taken out of service and be labelled to show that they should not be used until repaired or replaced.
Use of portable heaters across the Trust should be discussed with the building managers for their agreement and inclusion on the premises.
Where permanent background heating is required, it is safer to provide fixed, rather than portable appliances; the use of portable heaters should be avoided wherever possible.
The Health and Safety team can be contacted at Safety