Phew! What a scorcher!
Unite urges members to stay safe during heatwave
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With the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) issuing a four-day heat health alert to most of England Unite is warning workers to take care, and talk to their union reps if employers do not put in place measures to protect them from the worst of the heatwave.
Temperatures are predicted to reach 32C, and the seven yellow health alerts come into force at midday tomorrow (18 June) and currently run until 6pm on Sunday (22 June).
Outdoor workers are at particular risk and Unite only yesterday launched a new publication, “Workers in the eye of the storm” aimed at safeguarding workers during extreme weather events.
Unite has long been calling on the government to introduce a maximum working temperature and encouraging reps to get involved and monitor temperatures at their workplaces.
Unite national health and safety adviser Rob Miguel has previously said: “Unite is pressing for a maximum temperature for safe working of 27 degrees Celsius for strenuous jobs and 30 degrees Celsius for sedentary jobs.
“As the climate changes, it is vital that health and safety law is updated in line with the serious challenges this presents for workers. We urge the government to get a move on with this so that there can be no ambiguities in the workplace.
The maximum safe working temperature that Unite is calling for is “27 degrees Celsius for strenuous jobs and 30 degrees Celsius for sedentary jobs”, and the union has published Health and Safety guidance for workplace reps.
The TUC encourages reps to use workplace temperatures as a way to organise for safer, cooler workplaces this summer, and will “send you all the tools you need, including a checklist and thermometer.”
Unite’s health and safety reps advice for employers and workers is that:
- Indoor workplaces should be adequately ventilated so they remove and dilute warm and humid air
- Manual workers who work outside or in confined conditions are at particular risk and are vulnerable to heat exhaustion, employers should consider rescheduling work at cooler times of the day and provide cooling area’s such as shade or air-conditioned rest rooms
- Where workers are operating in direct sunlight, employers should attempt to place a cover over the work area.
- Halt work altogether under extreme conditions
Dr Agostinho Sousa, Head of Extreme Events and Health Protection at UKHSA, said:
“Our findings show that even moderate heat can result in serious health outcomes, especially for older adults, and it is therefore important that everyone takes sensible precautions while enjoying the sun.
“The forecasted high temperatures are expected to be short-lived but could primarily impact those over the age of 65 or those with pre-existing health conditions. If you have friends, family or neighbours who are more vulnerable, it is important to check in on them and ensure they are aware of the forecasts and are following the necessary advice.’’
By coincidence the TUC is running a webinar tomorrow covering these issues. Entitled “hot work, safe work – what union reps need to know”, the free session features Shelly Asquith, Health & Safety Policy Officer at the TUC and Miranda Irwin, Coordinator at Heat Strike discussing what Reps can do to organise for safer, cooler workplaces.
Unite’s “Temperature at Work” Health and Safety guidance for workplace reps is available here, and the warning comes just a month ahead of a week of action around workplace temperatures.
By Keith Hatch
