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26/07/2006
TUC warns employers to keep workplaces cool
The TUC has warned employers that they may be breaking the law if they fail to protect workers from the effects of extreme heat, as Britain continues to bask in hot temperatures.
There is no clear legal maximum workplace temperature under UK law - the minimum is 13C for strenuous work and 16C generally.
However, the TUC said that health and safety regulations placed a duty on employers to ensure that the inside temperature is 'reasonable' during work hours.
The union has called for a maximum working temperature of 30C or 27C for those doing strenuous work to be introduced.
If temperatures get too hot, the TUC has called on employers to take action to reduce the heat by introducing air conditioning or distributing fans, providing plentiful amounts of cold drinking water, moving staff away from windows or allowing them to dress down.
The union warned that if employers fail to keep workplaces cool, they could be liable if a member of staff falls ill because of the heat or has an accident at work because they are feeling tired or faint.
TUC General Secretary Brendan Barber said: "Whilst most sensible employers will be doing their utmost to keep their staff cool in the oppressive heat, there will always be some too mean to do anything to bring their office or shop temperatures down.
"Bosses who fail to adopt the cool work approach risk damaging their firms' productivity as their employees wilt in the heat. They also increase their chances of ending up in court, because someone has fallen ill or has had an accident because it got too hot.
"Employers clearly cannot control the weather, but there is much they can do to keep staff cool, and a clear maximum temperature would make a real difference."
(KMcA/SP)
There is no clear legal maximum workplace temperature under UK law - the minimum is 13C for strenuous work and 16C generally.
However, the TUC said that health and safety regulations placed a duty on employers to ensure that the inside temperature is 'reasonable' during work hours.
The union has called for a maximum working temperature of 30C or 27C for those doing strenuous work to be introduced.
If temperatures get too hot, the TUC has called on employers to take action to reduce the heat by introducing air conditioning or distributing fans, providing plentiful amounts of cold drinking water, moving staff away from windows or allowing them to dress down.
The union warned that if employers fail to keep workplaces cool, they could be liable if a member of staff falls ill because of the heat or has an accident at work because they are feeling tired or faint.
TUC General Secretary Brendan Barber said: "Whilst most sensible employers will be doing their utmost to keep their staff cool in the oppressive heat, there will always be some too mean to do anything to bring their office or shop temperatures down.
"Bosses who fail to adopt the cool work approach risk damaging their firms' productivity as their employees wilt in the heat. They also increase their chances of ending up in court, because someone has fallen ill or has had an accident because it got too hot.
"Employers clearly cannot control the weather, but there is much they can do to keep staff cool, and a clear maximum temperature would make a real difference."
(KMcA/SP)
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A chilly start with a widespread frost and some freezing fog, any freezing fog slow to clear. Otherwise bright with sunny spells and coastal showers. Light winds. Maximum temperature 6 °C.Tonight:Coastal showers dying out with a widespread frost developing along with freezing fog, which could become extensive. Winds remaining light. Minimum temperature -3 °C.
