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thunderchild  
#1 Posted : 09 January 2018 15:15:01(UTC)
Rank: Forum user
thunderchild

We have a very cold warehouse that is not practical to heat so we are looking in to the correct PPE to mitigate the cold.

Currently we offer, polo, jumper, fleece, trousers and work boots. Gloves are issues but these range from nitrile to rigger dependent on the task, required deterity and risk.

Is this enough or should we be offering more? The warehouse is not a fridge or freezer and today is just ove 7 degrees celsius.

A Kurdziel  
#2 Posted : 09 January 2018 15:53:25(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
A Kurdziel

The PPE regs (reg 4(3)) makes it clear that the PPE supplied must both control the risk and be suitable for the individual user ( eg it must not be too heavy and bulky for that user). What do your employees think? 

There are other ways of managing cold conditions, for example more breaks/job rotation to get warmed up, hot drinks etc. These can be considered.

What is the issue? Are the employees complaining about the clothing being provided? Do they want heating installed? I cannot image this being an issue raised by anybody in enforcement.

Kate  
#3 Posted : 09 January 2018 19:03:52(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
Kate

I think A Kurdziel has made the crucial point there - what do the people doing the work think?

Is there a dispute you need to settle or are you just trying to do the right thing?

I do see hats aren't on your list.  I wear a hat in those temperatures and I have a full head of hair!

johnmurray  
#4 Posted : 09 January 2018 22:46:53(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
johnmurray

thunderchild  
#5 Posted : 10 January 2018 07:07:38(UTC)
Rank: Forum user
thunderchild

Currently we dont issue hats but I am pushing for it.

Everyone is complaining about the temprature, it is really cold. Its below 13 degrees most days.

They do have additional breaks to warm up but job rotation cant really be done as its specialist tasks. The building is old and we are looking to relocate so intstalling a fully working heating system won't happen and getting portable heaters in will take time (I know this should have happened already) so I wanted a compremise in the mean time. 

I am trying to manage the workforce and do the right thing. If I held the purse strings I know what I would do but unfortunatly I don't.

Hsquared14  
#6 Posted : 10 January 2018 08:58:27(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
Hsquared14

Our main heating system failed in our warehouse during the cold snap just before Christmas (typical isn't works perfectly when you don't need it!!!) we ordered thermal underwear, fleeces, sweatshirts etc and had them within 48hrs from a major national supplier.   Portable heaters - you can hire them in within a couple hours.  Ditch the rigger gloves, they are cold and difficult to work in, get in some modern gloves that insulate well and still allow people to do their job.  As for not holding the purse strings go and find the people who do and get them to play ball, point to the legal requirements, scream, shout or do whatever else it requires to get them to treat their workforce decently like decent human beings.  I work as a civil servant and have to submit a form in triplicate just to have permission to breathe and we still managed to get the order for the cold weather gear through and on site in 48hrs.

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