shaznay Posted December 2, 2008 Share Posted December 2, 2008 I feel sorry for all the people who are working outdoors in this weather, construction workers, postmen, roadworkers, police etc etc....and in this economic climate just be grateful you have jobs.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thebanginman Posted December 2, 2008 Share Posted December 2, 2008 Anyone remember the good old days before the public let Thatcher eradicate the Unions,they would have soon been on the case Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kamble Posted December 2, 2008 Share Posted December 2, 2008 The place where i work is far too hot, all year round - even today at 9am we had to put the air conditioning on because it was so warm - they spend loads of money on the energy to heat the building, so much so that everyone has to have fans and air con to cool back down, which is so wasteful, in terms of energy use and cash. Then we have a big staff meeting in an overheated meeting room to discuss how there may be redundancies so they can save money. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sukeysue Posted December 2, 2008 Author Share Posted December 2, 2008 I dont spend my 'day' on the internet, thank you!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sukeysue Posted December 2, 2008 Author Share Posted December 2, 2008 Whatever.......... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yog Sothoth Posted December 3, 2008 Share Posted December 3, 2008 There is a legal minimum, the relevant bit of legislation was quoted earlier. No, that's just guidance, not legislation. Note that it says 'should', not 'shall' or 'must'. Not legally binding. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crunky Posted December 3, 2008 Share Posted December 3, 2008 No, that's just guidance, not legislation. Note that it says 'should', not 'shall' or 'must'. Not legally binding. In the UK, the relevant legislation is section 6 of the Offices Shops & Railway Premises Act 1963. The appropriate bits say - "(2) Where a substantial proportion of the work done in a room to which the foregoing subsection applies does not involve severe physical effort, a temperature of less than 16 degrees Celsius (61F) shall not be deemed, after the first hour, to be a reasonable temperature while work is going on. (3)...there shall be provided for persons who are employed to work in a room to which... this section would apply, conveniently accessible and effective means of enabling them to warm themselves. (6)It shall be the duty of the employer of persons for whom means of enabling them to warm themselves are provided in pursuance of subsection (3) of this section to afford them reasonable opportunities for using those means, and if he fails so to do he shall be guilty of an offence." Please note that NOWHERE in the Act (despite urban mythology to the contrary) does it provide for people to be sent home. This is not a right, although sometimes it is easier for an employer to send people home rather than put up with the problems. How do you make them sort it? Threaten them with a prosecution or, alternatively, apply for a civil injunction requiring them to comply with the legal duty. The latter could also provide specific compensation as well. Og course such action is unlikely to improve relations between you and your employer. C Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shazbat Posted December 7, 2008 Share Posted December 7, 2008 2 years ago, after the Xmas break, our heating hadn't been put on early enough so the building was freezing and we were sent home. Now we've moved into a new building, we have the opposite problem; during the warmer weather (I hesitate to use the word "summer") our office with a full wall of non-opening windows was regularly over 30 degrees but there is no legal maximum temperature, unsurprisingly. This week though, the builders are actually coming back - yes, mid-December - to fit opening windows which should have been fitted in the first place. Of course last week, when it turned cold, we were all sat in our jumpers, cardis and scarves complaining how cold it was, so gaping holes where a window should be is just what we need! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snook Posted December 7, 2008 Share Posted December 7, 2008 I am sat at work freezing!!! I work in an office for a big company, but since the cold weather started everyone is freezing to the extent their hands are so cold its hard to even type!!! When asked if there is anything that can be done we are told the air conditioning is on a 'sensor' so will blow hot/cold air out when necessary and 'we cant please everyone'....... Is there anything that the staff can do about this? Under a certain temperature, are staff entitled to go home? There are people sat in coats with scarfs on. Surely thats not right...... What temperature is it where you are working? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SHYTOT Posted December 7, 2008 Share Posted December 7, 2008 I am sat at work freezing!!! I work in an office for a big company, but since the cold weather started everyone is freezing to the extent their hands are so cold its hard to even type!!! When asked if there is anything that can be done we are told the air conditioning is on a 'sensor' so will blow hot/cold air out when necessary and 'we cant please everyone'....... Is there anything that the staff can do about this? Under a certain temperature, are staff entitled to go home? There are people sat in coats with scarfs on. Surely thats not right...... WHSH Regulation 7). The law requires only that a reasonable temperature shall be maintained in indoor workplaces during working hours. There is neither a maximum nor a minimum temperature specified in the new legislation; the minimum temperature specified in the old legislation has now been abolished. Fixed heating systems should work such that injurious or offensive fumes, etc. do not enter the workplace. Portable heaters should not produce harmful or offensive fumes. Combustion heaters must have a sufficient air supply for complete combustion. The Regulations require a sufficient number of thermometers to be available to enable the temperature to be measured throughout the workplace. The Approved Code of Practice (ACoP) says thermometers need not be in every room. There is advice in the ACoP stating the minimum temperature in workrooms should be 16 oC, or if severe physical effort is required, 13 oC. This advice does not apply where it would be impractical to maintain such temperatures, e.g where food is being kept cold. There is no advice on an appropriate maximum temperature. The Chartered Institution of Building Service Engineers (CIBSE) has published design criteria for temperature in buildings used for work. CIBSE recommends a range from 13 oC for heavy work to 20 oC for sedentary work. The World Health Organisation recommends 24 oC as the maximum temperature for working in comfort. Beyond this dehydration, heat stress and ultimately heat stroke can occur. Cold temperatures affect dexterity and mobility and may increase physical and visual strain, with added problems for people with muscular pain, arthritis and heart conditions. The maintenance of a comfortable temperature should be a matter of local negotiation and agreement. This should cover matters such as providing air cooling plant, siting workstations away from sources of radiant heat, the provision of local heating or cooling, insulation, shading windows, the provision of hot or cold drinks, and entitlement to suitable protective clothing or rest periods. Where necessary, suitable systems of work should be introduced to limit exposure. A maximum and minimum go-home temperature should be introduced at which workers can stop work and/or leave the workplace. There is no legal right to leave the workplace as a result of extremes of heat and cold, unless there is serious and imminent danger. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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