Give workers the day off if it’s too hot, bosses told
Union suggests employees should be sent home if workplace temperatures hit 25C in heatwave
UNION bosses are calling for workers to have the day off if workplace temperatures exceed 25C, and for employers to provide sun cream, hats with neck covers and more breaks to reduce the risk of heatstroke.
As Britain faces its first national emergency red-alert heatwave and temperatures that could reach 40C (104F), workers have been warned by travel companies to only use public transport if absolutely necessary.
GMB Union, which represents over 50,000 workers, has demanded that a legal maximum temperature be imposed in all working environments, and suggested that if bosses fail to provide cool enough conditions, workers should walk out.
They have also called for “workplace adjustments”, such as hats, suncream, protective clothing, flexible dress codes, extra breaks, flexible working and travel arrangements, air conditioning and water access.
But the calls sparked condemnation from MPs who claimed that the hot weather is “just another bandwagon to jump on” for the unions. Bosses are legally obliged to ensure workplaces do not drop below a reasonable temperature, often interpreted as 16C, but there is no maximum.
Lynsey Mann, GMB health and safety officer, said: “Bosses need to do everything possible to keep workplaces cool, and more importantly, safe.
“This can be as simple as letting people wear casual clothing and providing proper hydration. High levels of UV exposure also mean that outdoor workers have a much higher risk of developing skin cancer. Ultimately there needs to be a legal maximum working temperature, and it is in the employer’s interests – workers who are overheating aren’t going to be at their best.”
Ms Mann also called for employers to supply fans – or the right to expense fans – to employees if they work in a home with excessive temperatures.
She added: “We would also advise members to have extra water, have windows/doors open where possible and shut blinds or curtains.”
However, Lee Anderson, Conservative MP for Ashfield, said: “You can’t just have a blanket ban when it gets to a certain temperature to just send everybody home … It’s just another bandwagon to jump on.”
Ben Bradley, Conservative MP for Mansfield, added: “Of course employers should make sure work conditions are as comfortable as possible, but as ever, the GMB wants to make that into some ridiculous arbitrary barrier rather than take a common sense approach.”
As temperatures continued to rise yesterday, tens of thousands of Britons flocked to beaches and parks.
Emergency services urged people to take care with their barbecues, and to be aware of cold water shock if they took a dip in waterways.
Photos circulating online showed sun umbrellas and towels crammed next to each other in Brighton. Those who made it to nearby Worthing or Eastbourne appeared to have done rather better, with beaches a lot less crowded.
‘You can’t just have a blanket ban at a certain temperature to send everyone home’