Recurring concern

Failure to maintain safe indoor temperatures in occupied premises

First to latest report 22 Jan 2016 — 5 Feb 2021

Reports that mention this concern
2
Times this concern has been raised
2
Stated actions linked to this concern
0

What this concern includes

Includes failures of controls specifically intended to maintain safe indoor temperatures in occupied premises, including minimum-temperature standards, heating or cooling controls, monitoring and timely resolution of temperature-related faults where the condition creates a risk to occupants or workers.

What is not included
  • Excludes outdoor temperature exposure, clothing or personal protective equipment deficiencies where indoor temperature control is not the shared unsafe condition.
  • Excludes generic building maintenance, staffing, communication or welfare failures unless they directly impair maintaining a safe indoor temperature.
  • Excludes ordinary comfort complaints without an identified health or safety risk from the indoor temperature.
  • Excludes ventilation, air-quality and carbon-monoxide concerns where indoor temperature control is not the deficient condition.

Reports and published responses 2 reports

See individual reports that have raised this concern, and the actions taken in response

  1. Inner North London

    AI-generated summary

    Joseph O’Neill · Prevention of Future Deaths report

    This summary was generated using AI from the published report. Please read the original report for the complete account.

    Report summary

    Joseph O’Neill developed bronchopneumonia, suffered heat stroke, became dehydrated and died. Concerns included the failure to resolve faulty heating during a heatwave, inadequate rehydration and prompting to drink, and failure to recognise his deterioration.

    Read the report on judiciary.uk

    Source evidence

    How this individual concern was interpreted

    PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the report wording shown below.

    PFD Monitor interpretation

    Failure to resolve heating faults to maintain a safe temperature in the flat

    Wider context from the report

    “When Mr O’Neill refused a place in a care home, the Care Outlook staff did not do anything to resolve the fault with Mr O’Neill’s heating, so it remained on in the middle of a heatwave. An engineer was called to fix his door hinge, but not his heating. Mr O’Neill desperately needed a reduction in the temperature of his flat, first and foremost by the heating being fixed, but Care Outlook staff did not deal with this. ”

    Source location

    Joseph O’Neill · Prevention of Future Deaths report
    Page 2 · concerns

    Open source report

  2. Manchester West

    AI-generated summary

    Javaid Iqbal · Prevention of Future Deaths report

    This summary was generated using AI from the published report. Please read the original report for the complete account.

    Report summary

    Javaid Iqbal, who was working alone as a security guard at a construction site, died after lighting charcoal in a wheelbarrow inside a portacabin when the generator failed and left him without heat or light. The concerns included inadequate response to his reports, insufficient cold-weather clothing, lack of clear instructions for lone working, and the need for written instructions and training concerning welfare, safe temperatures, clothing, and leaving the site.

    Read the report on judiciary.uk

    Source evidence

    How this individual concern was interpreted

    PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the report wording shown below.

    PFD Monitor interpretation

    Failure to establish a minimum acceptable temperature for premises occupied by lone night security guards

    Wider context from the report

    “(1) Javaid Iqbal was working alone on the night of the 5th - 6th December 2014. It was very cold that night. The generator supplying heat, (2) Despite reporting this situation to his employer and the relevant control room, he was left to devise a method of keeping warm by himself. (3) Mr Iqbal did not have appropriate clothing to protect him from the cold, even though he was required to make periodic checks outside during the course of the night. (4) As a lone worker at night, Mr Iqbal needed clear instruction as to how to respond to the situation that had unexpectedly arisen. (5) Clear written instructions should be provided by the employer accompanied by suitable training so as to ensure adequate provision is made for the welfare of other lone night security guards both as to i. The personal protective equipment and clothing needed on a cold night when they are expected to work outside ii. The minimum acceptable temperature of the premises they are expected to work in. iii. Their authority to leave site without loss of pay should it prove too cold to work and they are unable to obtain instructions from their employer or controller as to the remedial action to be taken. ”

    Source location

    Javaid Iqbal · Prevention of Future Deaths report
    Page 2 · concerns

    Open source report

Actions and positions describe what organisations say in published responses. Implementation is not independently verified.

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Data last updated 7 September 2026