Skip to main content

Hey GC: Get the AC Inspected and Fixed, or Else!

By George Khoury, Esq. on June 25, 2018 | Last updated on March 21, 2019

As we enter summertime, general counsel may want to consider requiring a bit of annual preventative maintenance (or confirming that it has been done) to avoid exposure and annoying headaches.

Yes, technically, whoever is in charge of facilities should have already done so, but making sure that your employees have a climate controlled environment, in some places, is absolutely critical, before summertime is fully underway. And, while that facilities manager might try to give you some line about how you don't need a professional to come out an inspect your AC system every year, they don't know the waste of time you'll be faced with if an employee files an OSHA complaint, or worse, someone passes out cause the AC breaks during a heatwave.

Below are a few reasons why you should always make sure your office's AC is in tip-top shape before the summer heatwaves hit.

AC for Productivity

While it may cost a pretty penny to run the AC in the summertime, the cost could very well be worth it. That's because workers are more productive when they are not sweating, overheating, and making constant trips to the water cooler (and hence, more bathroom breaks too). Simply put, not providing a comfortable environment for employees can lead to a decrease in productivity and revenue.

AC for Tech Longevity

In addition to making sure your people can perform, a company's tech can also be sensitive to dramatic temperatures, and can fail due to extreme temperatures. Just like you see more cars broken down on the side of the road in extreme heat, office tech can also be vulnerable to extreme temps, partly because the tech itself often generates extreme temps all on its own.

AC to Avoid OSHA

Depending on what your employees are actually doing while in the office, there could be OSHA problems with not providing adequate climate control. And, you really don't want that headache, nor do you want to have to deal with a heat related worker comp claim.

AC to Keep Your Clients

If you have clients or consumers on site at the business, then AC is critical to keeping business. Not only do you not want your customers to be uncomfortable, you don't want them to see your employees sweating through their clothing.

Related Resources:

Copied to clipboard