O/T: Acceptable Working Conditions...
Discussion
You'd think I'd be happy to work in an air conditioned building, wouldn't you, but this week I have been freezing my tits right off. The last two days I've gone home feeling pretty ill.
We're in a 9 story building with (apparently) a single temperature setting for the whole building, which takes (according to facilities mgmt) 4 to 5 hours to adjust. I called the FM helpdesk and they said my request to up the temperature was on a 3 day SLA...
Well, I'm properly pissed off and about to walk off site - problem is being a contractor, if I do this I probably won't get paid with out a shit load of hassle..
I'm thinking about lighting a fire.
Any thoughts from my fellow contrarians?
Oh and what's the minimum acceptable temperature of a work place in the H&S laws?
We're in a 9 story building with (apparently) a single temperature setting for the whole building, which takes (according to facilities mgmt) 4 to 5 hours to adjust. I called the FM helpdesk and they said my request to up the temperature was on a 3 day SLA...
Well, I'm properly pissed off and about to walk off site - problem is being a contractor, if I do this I probably won't get paid with out a shit load of hassle..
I'm thinking about lighting a fire.
Any thoughts from my fellow contrarians?
Oh and what's the minimum acceptable temperature of a work place in the H&S laws?
Unfortunately there is no minimum, only a maximum!
This I found out when our AC men had been in and the office was about 16 celcius!
I suggest getting a massive arctic parka and sitting at your desk in that, I am sure someone will get the message if you sit there looking like an Eskimo!
Matt.
This I found out when our AC men had been in and the office was about 16 celcius!
I suggest getting a massive arctic parka and sitting at your desk in that, I am sure someone will get the message if you sit there looking like an Eskimo!
Matt.
g moaningWell I the opposite problem No air con and No fan work on the 3rd floor and have to walk past our accounts dept on the second all 5 of them, so any negative comments from me and I just get agro and a late payment.
Still look at it this way I probably get paid more than all 5 of them put together and less hassle, oh how I love being a consultant !!!!!
>> Edited by r6ckt on Wednesday 11th September 13:53
Still look at it this way I probably get paid more than all 5 of them put together and less hassle, oh how I love being a consultant !!!!!
>> Edited by r6ckt on Wednesday 11th September 13:53
I think it's 21 degrees centigrade/celcius but may be shot down in flames for that......
Insist on representatives from HR & Premises attending to check the temperature exactly where you sit.
If that doesn't work, demand that you get to swap desks with one of the people who say "it isn't that bad".
If all else fails, put some prawns & a kipper in a bag in an aircon duct then wait for them to rot, they will soon overhaul the system trying to find the smell
Insist on representatives from HR & Premises attending to check the temperature exactly where you sit.
If that doesn't work, demand that you get to swap desks with one of the people who say "it isn't that bad".
If all else fails, put some prawns & a kipper in a bag in an aircon duct then wait for them to rot, they will soon overhaul the system trying to find the smell
quote:Oddly, a friend was told the exact opposite when enduring a city office wihtout A/C in 30c+ temperatures a couple of months back.
Unfortunately there is no minimum, only a maximum!
And, I distinctly remember us all being sent home from a previous workplace when their heating system broke down.
Put a coat on ?? yeah yeah.. doesn't address the problem really, does it..
I thought there was a minimum, around 8c or so if I remember correctly, but no maximum
No such laws when you're working in a small workshop of course. I remember going to the pub for lunch when it was 2ish c, to listen to office workers moan that the temperature in their office was only 16 celcius, I'd have liked them to walk a mile in my shoes
You lot don't know you're born
edited to add
>> Edited by incorrigible on Wednesday 11th September 13:58
No such laws when you're working in a small workshop of course. I remember going to the pub for lunch when it was 2ish c, to listen to office workers moan that the temperature in their office was only 16 celcius, I'd have liked them to walk a mile in my shoes
You lot don't know you're born
edited to add
>> Edited by incorrigible on Wednesday 11th September 13:58
quote:
I thought there was a minimum, around 8c or so if I remember correctly, but no maximum
No such laws when you're working in a small workshop of course. I remember going to the pub for lunch when it was 2ish c, to listen to office workers moan that the temperature in their office was only 16 celcius, I'd have liked them to walk a mile in my shoes
You lot don't know you're born
Yeah, well I live in a brown paper bag... drink lake... Monty Python time... www.geocities.com/TheTropics/3370/tweare.txt
>> Edited by podie on Wednesday 11th September 14:01
www.tuc.org.uk/h_and_s/tuc-5385-f0.cfm
There is currently no legal maximum temperature, but there is a legal minimum:
13C for strenuous work, 16C generally.
There is currently no legal maximum temperature, but there is a legal minimum:
13C for strenuous work, 16C generally.
Better reference:
www.lhc.org.uk/members/pubs/factsht/47fact.htm
Looks like there is *no* legal min or max specified any more, just 'reasonable temperatures', with recommendations.
>> Edited by Size Nine Elm on Wednesday 11th September 14:03
www.lhc.org.uk/members/pubs/factsht/47fact.htm
Looks like there is *no* legal min or max specified any more, just 'reasonable temperatures', with recommendations.
>> Edited by Size Nine Elm on Wednesday 11th September 14:03
quote:So if it's cold and you put on a coat, you're not warmer ?
Put a coat on ?? yeah yeah.. doesn't address the problem really, does it..
Don't want to be a pedant but the issue is "You're a bit cold" the suggested solution "put on a coat" would "Address the problem"
Or is my outlook too simplistic ?
The Workplace Health, Safety & Welfare Regulations 1992 sets out minimum temperatures and states quite clearly that during working hours the temperature in all workplaces inside buildings shall be reasonable. (Reg.7 ACOP 43 “temperatures in workrooms should normally be at least 16 degrees celsius , unless much of the work involves severe physical effort in which case the temperature should be a least 13 degrees celsius……“)
At present there is no legislation covering a maximum working temperature and it is therefore the Union’s aim to negotiate and seek agreement between management and representatives of musicians on a maximum working temperature and to set down guidelines on steps to take in the event of the maximum or minimum temperatures being contravened.
The World Health Organisation recommends that the maximum air temperature should be 25 degrees C and representatives of musicians can use figures like this to negotiate better standards than those laid down by law.
1. It should be negotiated and agreed between the Union, management and representatives of musicians that a maximum working temperature of 25 degrees celsius (77 degrees Fahrenheit) should be set. Every effort should be made by management to ensure that temperatures are maintained within the range of 16 – 25 degrees celsius and a continuous monitoring exercise should be carried out to this effect. (It is noted that other factors need to be taken into consideration when monitoring the temperature particularly when interpreting readings of thermometers. It is therefore recommended that the advice of specialist air monitoring consultants be taken)
2. During a performance/rehearsal if the set working temperature of 26 degrees celsius is reached then all steps should be taken to reduce and maintain the agreed set temperature – to be achieved by:
· additional ventilation,
· additional fresh air (wherever possible)
· the provision of air conditioning (to be properly maintained)
· where appropriate, the reduction of lighting levels during rehearsals
· drinking water.
· Additional breaks to allow workers to move temporarily to a cooler location
Additionally, provision of the following is recommended to alleviate the effects of high temperatures
· portable fans
· relaxation of dress code
3. During a performance/rehearsal if the working temperature falls below 16degrees then all steps should be taken to increase and maintain the temperature, to be achieved by:-
· Additional use of portable or permanent heating appliances
· Checking for and eliminating sources of draughts
· Additional breaks to allow workers to move temporarily to a warmer location
Additionally, provision of the following is recommended to alleviate the effects of low temperatures:-
· Relaxation of dress code
· Temporary use of full stage lighting can achieve a quick rise in ambient temperature
Note: Employers should be reminded that ventilation, air quality and drinking water are covered in details by existing legislation
At present there is no legislation covering a maximum working temperature and it is therefore the Union’s aim to negotiate and seek agreement between management and representatives of musicians on a maximum working temperature and to set down guidelines on steps to take in the event of the maximum or minimum temperatures being contravened.
The World Health Organisation recommends that the maximum air temperature should be 25 degrees C and representatives of musicians can use figures like this to negotiate better standards than those laid down by law.
1. It should be negotiated and agreed between the Union, management and representatives of musicians that a maximum working temperature of 25 degrees celsius (77 degrees Fahrenheit) should be set. Every effort should be made by management to ensure that temperatures are maintained within the range of 16 – 25 degrees celsius and a continuous monitoring exercise should be carried out to this effect. (It is noted that other factors need to be taken into consideration when monitoring the temperature particularly when interpreting readings of thermometers. It is therefore recommended that the advice of specialist air monitoring consultants be taken)
2. During a performance/rehearsal if the set working temperature of 26 degrees celsius is reached then all steps should be taken to reduce and maintain the agreed set temperature – to be achieved by:
· additional ventilation,
· additional fresh air (wherever possible)
· the provision of air conditioning (to be properly maintained)
· where appropriate, the reduction of lighting levels during rehearsals
· drinking water.
· Additional breaks to allow workers to move temporarily to a cooler location
Additionally, provision of the following is recommended to alleviate the effects of high temperatures
· portable fans
· relaxation of dress code
3. During a performance/rehearsal if the working temperature falls below 16degrees then all steps should be taken to increase and maintain the temperature, to be achieved by:-
· Additional use of portable or permanent heating appliances
· Checking for and eliminating sources of draughts
· Additional breaks to allow workers to move temporarily to a warmer location
Additionally, provision of the following is recommended to alleviate the effects of low temperatures:-
· Relaxation of dress code
· Temporary use of full stage lighting can achieve a quick rise in ambient temperature
Note: Employers should be reminded that ventilation, air quality and drinking water are covered in details by existing legislation
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