Latest news with #workplaceSafety
Yahoo
6 hours ago
- Climate
- Yahoo
Is it too hot to work from home or the office? UK workers' rights explained
The UK is preparing for a heatwave, both mentally and physically, which could plunge the nation into sweltering 35C temperatures. Today (Friday, 20th June) is a normal workday for most, and not everyone is fortunate enough to have the weekend off. This has led some to question if it can ever be too hot to work from home or the office, what the rules are for employers and their duty of care to their employees? Read more: Millions of UK households told to spend £49 before end of Friday William Walsh, a partner in the employment team at law firm DMH Stallard, explain: "All employers have an obligation to ensure the health and safety of their employees in the workplace so far as reasonably practicable. "Failure to do so can not only result in sanctions against the organisation, but also criminal liabilities for directors and managers. "When it comes to working in hot conditions, there is no maximum working temperature specified in the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974. This would be impractical, as some work environments will always involve exposure to high heat, for example those working in glass works. "From a risk perspective, there will also be a difference between those undertaking very physical tasks in the heat, compared to those with more sedentary roles. "While there is no specified maximum temperature, this does not mean that heat can be ignored. "The legal responsibilities in respect of health and safety in the workplace still apply and this means carrying out a risk assessment and ensuring that employees work in temperatures that are reasonable and do not place their health and safety at risk. "The nature of the work will be relevant, as will factors such as whether employees need to wear protective clothing as part of their job that may make it harder still for employees to keep cool. "For office workers, employers should also consider dress codes, particularly if the normal requirement is that employees wear long trousers, shirts and ties. Employers need to be aware of the health risks and the warning signs of an employee suffering from heat exhaustion or other physical effects caused by the heat. "Employers need to remember that, if employees are working from home, the health and safety obligations still apply to that working environment. "The risks should be much lower, as home workers are unlikely to be undertaking physical tasks and, even if they were told to stop working, those individuals would still be in their same home environment. But the issue should not be discounted altogether. "If, for example, it was known that an employee was working from their home office set up in a small box room up in a loft conversion, where it could get uncomfortably hot, they should be encouraged to move and, if necessary, given flexibility around their tasks to allow them to do so."
South China Morning Post
2 days ago
- Business
- South China Morning Post
Court suspends work ban on Hong Kong contractor linked to 5 site deaths
A Hong Kong construction company linked to five workplace deaths in three accidents will have a ban on its operating licence lifted following a temporary court order, even as two of the firm's six contracts have been terminated. Advertisement The Development Bureau said on Wednesday that Aggressive Construction Company would remain on the government's registered list of contractors on Friday after the Court of First Instance allowed the firm to apply for a stay of execution on the decision. It said project owners could monitor Aggressive's performance at sites operated by the company if there were still construction activities. Authorities had already terminated its contract for the Chai Wan Government Complex public works project on Sunday after assessing that the firm's performance was 'far below the contractual requirements'. 'The government will endeavour to arrange in the near term for a new contractor to take over and finish the remaining works,' the spokesman said. Advertisement The Chai Wan project was one of the six developments undertaken by Aggressive when authorities last month announced the company would be removed from the registered list of contractors coming Friday. Aggressive earlier filed an appeal against the government after authorities rejected its licence renewal due to safety concerns arising from three fatal incidents.
The Sun
2 days ago
- Climate
- The Sun
Office rights explained: What temperature is too hot to work in?
THE UK is basking in glorious sunshine with temperatures set to peak at over 30 degrees Celsius in parts. The Met Office has said a heatwave is "likely" this weekend with sunshine continuing into next week. But what are your rights when it comes to working during hot weather? We explain everything you need to know below. What rights do I have if it's too hot in the office? There's no minimum or maximum temperature for offices or other places of work currently defined in law. Employers have to make sure conditions are "reasonable" - but that definition is obviously open to interpretation. John Kushnick, legal operations director at National Accident Helpline said: "Temperatures in the workplace are covered by the Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992, which place a legal obligation on employers to provide a 'reasonable' temperature in the workplace. "They suggest that the minimum temperature in a workplace should be at least 16°C, or if the work involves rigorous physical exertion, it can be 13°C. "Unfortunately, there are no laws which specifically state that workers can stop working if the temperature gets too hot or cold." The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has previously suggested bosses should ensure their workers have access to water and monitor their wellbeing in hot weather. Typical symptoms of heat stress are: An inability to concentrate Muscle cramps Heat rash Severe thirst - a late symptom of heat stress Fainting Heat exhaustion - fatigue, giddiness, nausea, headache, moist skin Heat stroke - hot dry skin, confusion, convulsions and eventual loss of consciousness. This is the most severe disorder and can result in death if not detected at an early stage However, if enough members of staff complain about working conditions, bosses should carry out a risk assessment. The HSE says: 'If a significant number of employees are complaining about thermal discomfort, your employer should carry out a risk assessment, and act on the results of that assessment.' John adds: "If an employee feels uncomfortable, then they should speak to their employer as they are obliged to act reasonably and provide a safe working environment." If you're a vulnerable staff member - including being menopausal or pregnant - you should take this into account when deciding on a plan of action. You may not get to work from home, though. Instead, the business might provide fans, relax dress codes, turn up the air conditioning, or consider other measures to make things more comfortable. What are the temperature recommendations? The Chartered Institute of Building Services Engineers recommends the following temperatures for different working areas: Heavy work in factories: 13°C Light work in factories: 16°C Hospital wards and shops: 18°C Offices and dining rooms: 20°C What are my rights if I need to take public transport? Each transport company sets its own policies - and like with offices, there's no law about temperatures during a heatwave. This can mean that travellers face extremely high temperatures when out and about. For example, in 2018, Londoners complained of 42C temperatures on the Tube. Transport for London however has since said all Tubes will be air-conditioned by 2030. If you are travelling on public transport, make sure you bring a bottle of water with you, and if possible, wear cool, loose, and light clothing. People are sharing their best "air con" hacks to keep cool in the heatwave and all you need is a bottle of water. If you're sat at work wincing in pain at sunburn caught over the weekend, here's five ways to soothe it. Keeping safe in the sun Wear clothes and sunglasses that provide sun protection The NHS website recommends wearing a hat that that shades the face, neck and ears and breathable fabrics that do not let the sunlight through. Drink water Staying hydrated in the warmer weather is also important. Be sure to carry a water bottle with you if you are travelling and taking sips throughout the day. Use suncream According to the NHS webiste, adults should aim to apply around 6 to 8 teaspoons of sunscreen if you're covering your entire body. If sunscreen is applied too thinly, the amount of protection it gives is not as effective If you're worried you might not be applying enough SPF30, you could use a sunscreen with a higher SPF.
CTV News
3 days ago
- CTV News
Worker killed underground at mine in Red Lake, Ont.
Officials with West Red Lake Gold Mines Ltd. say an employee working underground was fatally injured at the Madsen Mine in Red Lake on Monday. (File) Officials with West Red Lake Gold Mines Ltd. say an employee working underground was fatally injured at the Madsen Mine in Red Lake on Monday. 'The health, safety and well-being of our employees is our top priority,' the company said in a news release. 'The company is working closely with local and Ministry of Labour authorities and an investigation and comprehensive review are underway.' Mine operations suspended Madsen Mine is located in Red Lake in northwestern Ontario, north of Kenora. Operations at the mine have been voluntarily suspended while the investigation is underway. 'The thoughts of management are with the family, friends and colleagues who have been impacted by this tragic incident,' the company said. 'The company will provide additional information as appropriate.' A message to the Ministry of Labour from CTV News Northern Ontario seeking additional information wasn't immediately returned. West Red Lake Gold Mines Ltd. is a mineral exploration company developing the Madsen Gold Mine in 47 square kilometres of land in the Red Lake district of Ontario.
CBC
4 days ago
- CBC
Worker dead after concrete slab falls at North York jobsite
Social Sharing A man is dead after a concrete slab reportedly fell on him at a job site in North York Monday morning, Toronto police say. It happened around 8:20 a.m., emergency officials say, at 152 Toryork Dr. in North York, near Weston Road. Police say early reports indicate that a concrete slab fell on a worker at the site. Paramedics confirmed to CBC News that a man was pronounced dead at the scene. The provincial Ministry of Labour will be conducting an investigation into what happened, police say.
