Posted By Paul kelly Hi there, I am looking for information regarding rest breaks for emergency stand by workers. Our company runs a water treatment plant, and is un-manned through the night. However of the 8 staff, there is a rota that means 1 week in 8 every staff member does 24 hour stand-by for any emergencies arising, this is for a 7 day period. My question deals with breaks. Most days you are called out when you have come off shift, and i would like to know if the 11 hour rest interval between shifts can be used by our staff. Our working day is 08:00 to 16:30 and some of the staff live 45 minutes to an 1 hour away from the plant. So if you are called out at 01:00 and your travel time is 2 hours and then 1 hour to fix the problem, you are not home until 04:00 and expected back into work at 08:00. What argument can the staff take to stop this practise? We are not sure about the 11 hour break between shifts being applicable to us, as we are running a public utility. I know this is a bit long winded, but any guidance would be much appreciated. Thanks