As temperatures drop, portable heaters can provide extra warmth in the workplace. Portable electric heaters were removed from the CERN Stores at the end of 2022 as an energy-saving measure. However, as some buildings are less well insulated than others and people’s tolerance of lower temperatures varies, many of us still use portable heaters, procured before 2022 or from outside CERN, to keep warm. Their use comes with significant safety risks, particularly relating to fire.

Portable heaters should be used as little as possible. To ensure their safe use, we ask all users to follow the guidelines below:

• Do not use open-fire, solid fuel or liquid fuel heaters.
• Make sure that there are no major fire risks in the same area (e.g. storage/manipulation of easily combustible solids or flammable liquids). Position the heater at least one metre away from flammable objects such as curtains, clothing and furniture.
• Never cover a heater.
• Follow manufacturer instructions for proper usage.
• Avoid leaving heaters on unsupervised and make sure that they are switched off outside of working hours. Use a timer if necessary.
• Electrical safety: overloaded cords and sockets can overheat, posing fire risks. Do not plug more than one heater into one socket and ensure that the heater’s wattage does not exceed 1800 W for a 10 A socket. If an extension cord is necessary, it must be fully unwound.
• Emergency preparedness: know the location of the nearest fire extinguisher (within 40 metres) and familiarise yourself with the general evacuation procedures applicable to your workstation.

By following these precautions, you help to keep your environment safe. For further guidance, contact your Territorial Safety Officer (TSO). Stay warm and safe this winter!