Safety Reps Urged To Conduct Heat Inspections At Workplaces

With the temperatures outside set to increase dramatically over the next few days, it is imperative that Union Safety Reps conduct heat insections both indoor and outdoor.

 

Pregnant women, sufferers of asthma and other respiritory health conditions will be impacted, sometime badly, by risng temperatures both inside and outside, with office workers in particular being subjected to internal temperatures well in excess of those outside; due to the lack of adequate air conditioning in the majority of the UK's office buildings.

Employers have a duty of care to all their employees, and reasonable adjustments must be made in order to protect those susestoable to heat changes and to prevent illness and the need to take time off; and to be able to maintain attendanced without risk to the health and welfare.

It is importan that Workers are advised too of their rights under the Employment Rights Act 1996, Section 44. If the employer does not take action after being notified of temperatures that may be risking the health & safety of workers, those workers have the right to remove themselves from work situations and areas identified by them as being a risk of injury or illness caused by remaining in the area concerned.

 

In terms of heat, this may mean the employer has to provide mitigation against the heat, in the form of providing cold water, cooled drinks, additional air colling equipment e.g. desk fans etc. In the case of pregnant workers, it may be necessary for them to work from a much coller part of the office or building, or to go home.

 

Heat risk is a major factor in causing harm to both mother and unborn child, and the employer must take action to mitigate agaist high working temperatures, no matter their cause.

 

USR's can use the above Temperature Inspection Checklist to conduct an insprection, as and when they are concerned about temperatures their members are having to work in. Click the image to download the checklist. Go to the image notice of the Employment Rights Act 1996 on the front page of this website to read the details of Section 44.

 

Source: TUC / Unionsafety

 

 

 

 

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