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Posted By Martin Mulholland "The TUC has warned factories and offices across the UK will become increasingly uncomfortable and potentially hazardous as the summers get hotter" http://www.iosh.co.uk/in...?go=news.viewfeed&id=803Does anyone think that this is a worthwhile goal or if it is weather (pun intended) it is realistically achievable? Martin
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Posted By D H
Don't think it realistic in some industries - I used to work in the paper making industry and temperature often exceeded 35 degrees in the winter!
Dave
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Posted By Stuff4blokes
Risk assessments and risk control to suit the circumstances.
High temperature working is managed in industries such as steel and glass by ventilation, shielding, rest breaks, availability of fluid replacement, training, buddy systems, PPE etc. Offices too can use aircon, ventilation, window blinds, water and sensible arrangements if the situation becomes extreme.
I do not believe that legislation is required.
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Posted By safetyamateur
If it starts affecting machinery and other equipment, it'll be done
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Posted By bereznikov
I agree,
I think it is unnecessary as it is covered by other pieces of legislation in a more general way i.e. MHSWR R3. More specifically, 24 degrees as an action level seems way too low to me - i would hazard to guess that this is most office-based employees' idea of a comfortable working temperature!?
bereznikov
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Posted By Ron Hunter
I wonder what they propose when its 24 degrees OUTSIDE?
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Posted By clairel
Increasingly hot summers.....hhmmm....not had any of those around here for a few years!!
Interesting as to how any restrictions would apply to a foundry!
No legislation needed. Lots of workplaces would then get air-con, which is bad for the environment, just because people are a bit hot for a few days a year.
We just love to moan in this country. Too hot. Too cold. We seem to want a nice ambient temperature all the time. Gget real. Dress appropriately. Hydrate accordingly. No probs.
...ohh to feel too hot for a change ;-)
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Posted By Steve Cartwright
Maximum workplace temperature will be a major headache especially in open plan offices. Arguments over what to set the air con units have been going on for years. I was once called to one office where we had one women sat with a jacket on and the lady next to her was sat in a sleeveless top. Measured temp and it was a tad over 23 degrees C. Was not a lot I could do.
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Posted By ScotsAM
Personally speaking (as a thoroughbred scot) I'd be suffering from heatstroke by the time the temperature reached 24 C.
I used to work in a factory sized laundry, and during the summer months the steam machinery made the place unbearable!
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Posted By ScotsAM
Although I'm against the prescriptive legislation suggested to 'control' this.
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Posted By Martin Mulholland
Thanks,
I was wondering where the TUC are coming from with this.
Is it based on any accident or ill-health stats or just on gripes from their members?
Controlling temperatures at a maximum level would be unworkable and would do nothing to reduce cost to UK industries, would increase demands on electrcity supplies and increase carbon footprints (reliance on air conditioning).
Certainly it wouldn't come from any European Directive.
I invite anyone from the TUC to enlighten us on the background to this news story.
Martin
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Posted By Jay Joshi
Temperature is not only criteria for thermal comfort, especially when referring to the higher end. Both humidity and air movement are also important factors.
There can be discomfort at 18 degrees C if the humidity is very high and there is no air movement and it can be relatively comfortable at 24 degrees C with lower humidity and more air movement.
That is why it is not a simple matter to prescribe a maximum temperature. However, some employers do not make corrective actions such as either providing fans (to move the air) or air conditioning and there is repetition of the same problems every year. Also. most of our buildings are designed to keep the heat in, therefore it is becomes more uncomfortable in summer as it is not possible to even open the windows in some buildings
I think that is why the TUC is going after a maximum temperature.
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Posted By Pete48
Isn't the risk of heat stress one of the current list of matters requiring improved/better guidance by the HSE? I think their website says it is but haven't checked.
Perhaps the TUC is just headlining the issue and if so why not? Anyone with more than a passing interest will know that a simple max temp is not the answer but it has prompted debate!!!
I wonder whether a statement about heat stress indexes and all that jazz would have the same impact in either the mess room or the political world?
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Posted By Yossarian
Pete,
Oversimplifying the issue brings back memories of Quentin Letts measuring sound levels with i-phones, though.
A surefire way to tabloid mockery methinks.
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Posted By Juan Carlos Arias
Sounds to me like a real joke! I work in a bakery and no matter what, high temperatures will always be present in some areas of the factory. This type of proposals are very unrealistic.
Nothing wrong with trying to make workplace as comfortable as possible. Provision of fresh drinking water, adequate breaks, job rotation etc.
Those proposing this should come down to earth sometimes
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