16LTB553 Cool It – New updated TUC guide for Trade Union Activists on Dealing With High Temperatures in the Workplace

No. 553/2016

20 September 2016

Our Ref: E4/16

“Cool It” – New updated TUC guide for Trade Union Activists on Dealing With High Temperatures in the Workplace – Including Indoor and Outdoor Work:

To: All Branches

Dear Colleagues,

2016 has been one of the hottest year’s on record according to the Met Office, with temperatures, mid-September hitting the mid-80’s Fahrenheit of 30+ Celsius.

The TUC has published a New Report calling on employers to make sure that staff working outdoors are properly protected from the sun and the summer heat. Going forward and planning for future summer time working, the report endorses the CWU messages from our ‘Sun Safe-Skin Smart’ Campaign, that CWU has been running since 2004.

The new, updated report, entitled “Cool it” TUC guide for Trade Union Activists on Dealing with High Temperatures in the Workplace) covers both indoor and outdoor workers, but for those working outside, it says that those working in high temperatures, exposed to intense sunlight are at risk of sunstroke, sunburn and even skin cancer.

The 12 Page Report contains 5 Sections as Follows:-

  • Section one – Introduction 3
  • Section two – The legal position 4
  • Section three – The scale of the problem. 6
  • Section four – Advice for safety representatives Indoor work 8
  • Section five – Advice for safety representatives Outdoor work 10

Working in hot weather can also lead to dehydration, tiredness, muscle cramps, rashes, fainting, and – in the most severe cases – loss of consciousness.

The TUC suggests that employers and managers should work with their Trade Union Health and Safety Reps and introduce the following measures to protect their staff who work outdoors when the temperatures rise:

  • Allow staff to take frequent breaks and provide a supply of drinking water.
  • Review working times so that outside work is done in the morning and afternoon, rather than between 11am-3pm when temperatures are highest.
  • Provide canopies or covering over open areas such as building sites, and provide shaded areas for breaks.
  • Ensure that outdoor workers are supplied with sunscreen and are given advice on the need to protect themselves from the heat and sun.
  • Provide lightweight brimmed hats for all outdoor workers and make sure that any protective clothing is lightweight, long-sleeved and comfortable, but dense enough to prevent UV rays from getting through.
  • Provide information on avoiding exposure to harmful UV radiation, ensuring that advice is available in other languages for migrant workers.

The TUC report finds that heat can also be a problem for workers whose job involves driving. This is dangerous as any driver suffering from fatigue is a major risk to both themselves and other people. Employers should provide cars, vans or lorries with air conditioning, or, if a driver is likely to be stuck in traffic for any length of time, make sure they are not driving for too long in very hot weather.

Skin cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in the UK. There are around 100,000 new cases of skin cancer every year in this country, with over 2,500 deaths.

The vast majority of these cases are caused by exposure to sunlight and it is estimated that 90% of all skin cancer deaths could be prevented if people properly controlled their exposure to the sun’s UV radiation. It is not known how many of these are a result of outside working, although research for the HSE suggested that 4.5% of cases were work related.

In launching this new guidance the TUC General Secretary made the point that Some UK employers treat farmyard animals better thanworkers! and at least animals get shelter and a supply of water in the heat.’

Working outdoors in sweltering conditions can be unbearable and dangerous and employers must ensure their staff are protected as much as possible, with regular breaks, lots of fluids, plenty of Sunscreen and the right protective clothing. – ROYAL MAIL TAKE NOTE!

A copy of the report is attached.

Yours Sincerely

Dave Joyce

National Health, Safety & Environment Officer

Attachments:

  • “Cool it” New updated TUC guide for Trade Union Activists on Dealing With High Temperatures in the Workplace)
  • Working in High Temperatures Q&As