C20 Working temperatures
Composite of motion 77 and amendments
Congress recognises that many workers in the UK have to work in extremes of temperatures that can be detrimental to health. Whilst there are prescribed standards for working in extremely cold environments, there is little protection for those working at the very warm end of the spectrum.
Research shows that when people experience temperatures in excess of 24 degrees Celsius the propensity for accidents increases and work productivity diminishes. The World Health Organisation recommends that the maximum air temperature should be 25 degrees Celsius.
Congress urges the General Council to embark on a campaign aimed at publicising the need for legislation in this area and calls on the HSE and the Government to introduce a maximum working temperature that will allow a standard for introducing control measures and to give workers rights when such standards are infringed.
Mover: Bakers, Food and Allied Workers’ Union
Seconder: Union of Shop, Distributive and Allied Workers
Supporter: Transport Salaried Staffs’ Association
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I think this should be fully supported many of my members suffer during excessive high temperatures although there are good practice guides we need firm legislation to avoid the usual debates and rows with employers who to often try to worm there way out of simple common sense over profit. If temperatures exceeds and accepted level staff and workers should be sent home on full pay no ifs or buts.
To show how silly this all is even a animal knows when to get out of the hot sun or high temperatures forcing workers to work in these conditions can only contribute to health problems later and in fact increase levels of absence do to sickness.