working conditions

[gerardy]

Hello could someone please help with an issuse we had this morning at work,

is there any minimum temperature or any minimum standards Royal Mail have to abide by for employees H&S

we turned up to work this morning and the heating was not working, the managers would not order any more oil saying that they hadn't got the authority to ok it. (we are continuously runnning out of oil)

The back up halogen heaters were not working and temperatures were baltic to say the least
had to continue to work in these conditions according to the managers as it is beyond their control (no oil beyond their control)

Do we have to work under these conditions?

How long do we have to stay in the building before we can go home?

Thanks for any help

[Straight4ward]

Don't know if this helps you, but good luck with it.

From http://www.hse.gov.uk/contact/faqs/temperature.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

"What is the maximum/minimum temperature in the workplace?

The Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992 lay down particular requirements for most aspects of the working environment

Regulation 7 of these Regulations deals specifically with the temperature in indoor workplaces and states that:

During working hours, the temperature in all workplaces inside buildings shall be reasonable.

However, the application of the regulation depends on the nature of the workplace i.e. a bakery, a cold store, an office, a warehouse.

The associated ACOP goes on to explain:

‘The temperature in workrooms should provide reasonable comfort without the need for special clothing. Where such a temperature is impractical because of hot or cold processes, all reasonable steps should be taken to achieve a temperature which is as close as possible to comfortable. 'Workroom' means a room where people normally work for more than short periods.

The temperature in workrooms should normally be at least 16 degrees Celsius unless much of the work involves severe physical effort in which case the temperature should be at least 13 degrees Celsius. These temperatures may not, however, ensure reasonable comfort, depending on other factors such as air movement and relative humidity.’

Where the temperature in a workroom would otherwise be uncomfortably high, for example because of hot processes or the design of the building, all reasonable steps should be taken to achieve a reasonably comfortable temperature, for example by:

* insulating hot plants or pipes;
* providing air-cooling plant;
* shading windows;
* siting workstations away from places subject to radiant heat.

Where a reasonably comfortable temperature cannot be achieved throughout a workroom, local cooling should be provided. In extremely hot weather fans and increased ventilation may be used instead of local cooling.

Where, despite the provision of local cooling, workers are exposed to temperatures which do not give reasonable comfort, suitable protective clothing and rest facilities should be provided. Where practical there should be systems of work (for example, task rotation) to ensure that the length of time for which individual workers are exposed to uncomfortable temperatures is limited. "

Seems to me that this contains plenty of get outs. The use of "normally", "where reasonable" etc make it fairly easy for the employer to plead mitigating circumstances, I guess.

[Dogs of War]

That happened to are office a few months ago. All of us just got up and walked out until it was sorted. We get are oil of a place which is 1 hour away, and there's an oil company down the road from us. Which you may think is sense less but thats Royal Mail management for you.

[somerset]

Is there any bright bod on here who can tell me what the minium temp is in a delivery ofice? We all have to wear our jackets at moment whilst prepping ! Radiators our cold. Swear the DOM has turned the heating down to make more savings for his bonus!

[PhilthyPhil]

http://www.hse.gov.uk/contact/faqs/temperature.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[DGP1]

I'm surprised that your DOM didn't just say that 'if you're cold then you're just not working hard enough'

[POSTMAN]

Altough a good link has been posted,i'll move this to the H&S forum for brothermagrew to have a shuftie at as well.

[saru]

Is there any bright bod on here who can tell me what the minium temp is in a delivery ofice? We all have to wear our jackets at moment whilst prepping ! Radiators our cold. Swear the DOM has turned the heating down to make more savings for his bonus!

I bet he's got a nice warm heater in his office though

[TrueBlueTerrier]

http://www.tssa.org.uk/article-47.php3?id_article=1000" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Temperature
Employers must ensure that during working hours, the temperature inside buildings (including offices) is "reasonable". Under the Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992, there is only a minimum temperature stipulated, which is 16 degrees Celsius after the first hour of working, unless the work involves strenuous physical exertion.

Whilst there is no maximum temperature ceiling legislated for, the British Safety Council cite research which concludes that when people experience temperatures in excess of 24 degrees Celsius the propensity for accidents increases and work productivity diminishes. The World Health Organisation (WHO) recommends that the maximum air temperature should be 25 degrees Celsius. Safety Reps’ can use these figures and evidence to negotiate agreements that improve upon the minimum requirements of the law.

The test of what constitutes a "reasonable" temperature is inherently subjective; it would be fair to say that if the majority of the workforce consider they are too hot or too cold for most of the working day, then the temperature is unreasonable.

There exists no legal right to vacate the workplace as a result of extremes of heat and cold, unless there is "serious, imminent and unavoidable danger" (Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations, 1992). But there is no reason why workplace reps should not negotiate a joint agreement on temperature, which sets out what will happen when the minimum and maximum levels are not maintained.

Some suggested measures to achieve satisfactory working temperatures include:

Insulating pipes
Providing air cooling plant
Shading windows and siting desks away from radiators and other hot spots

You should be aware that under The Offices, Shops and Railway Premises Act, 1963 in office premises where "members of the public are invited to resort" or any room which constitutes "railway premises", then the minimum temperature of 16 degrees Celsius need not apply unless it is "reasonably practicable".

Last line should apply to callers offices

[Stormproof]

Make sure the DOM has stocked up on oil this week

[DGP1]

Make sure the DOM has stocked up on oil this week

What was this, dress down Friday I don't believe my weathermen if they appear in tv in their jeans

And I think you'll find that us up here in glorious NI are going to miss all the snow so we can spare our oil, just send your DO address and I'll pop it in the post for you

[jockstrapp]

I'm sure the temp. has to be around 16/17deg

[brothermagrew]

Altough a good link has been posted,i'll move this to the H&S forum for brothermagrew to have a shuftie at as well.

The CWU view is: http://www.cwu.org/11878/temperature-at-work.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[Pinky 1]

Well today being a Monday, our heating hadn't been switched on overnight.
When we started work, the floor thermometer was reading 10 degrees !
Outside it was -4 ........
On pointing this out to our lino, his solution to the problem ?
He took the thermometer down and put it in his cupboard ......end of problem

Royal Mail .......the caring employer that has the welfare of it's employees at heart, blah, blah, blah ......

[DGP1]

Well today being a Monday, our heating hadn't been switched on overnight.
When we started work, the floor thermometer was reading 10 degrees !
Outside it was -4 ........
On pointing this out to our lino, his solution to the problem ?
He took the thermometer down and put it in his cupboard ......end of problem

Royal Mail .......the caring employer that has the welfare of it's employees at heart, blah, blah, blah ......

I'm surprised he had the intelligence