Politicians have long debated the hot topics affecting the public and this week they are expected to take that literally with a motion on when it’s too hot to work.
Green councillor Raphael Hill plans to propose a motion on “extreme heat”, with a call for a “maximum working temperature” as the latest heatwave continues.
Councillor Hill, with the support of Brighton and Hove Independent councillor Mark Earthey, is expected to cite the Trades Union Congress (TUC) guidance Too Hot To Work.
The pair are also due to call on the Labour leader of Brighton and Hove City Council, Bella Sankey, to lobby the government for a change in the law.
A notice of motion mentioned the increased frequency and intensity of heatwaves and Met Office projections suggesting that Britain could experience temperatures of 45C (113F) by 2056.
It said that, during the hot weather, France recorded more than 2,000 excess deaths last month alone, mainly among the over-45s.
In Brighton and Hove, bin rounds were cut short so that crews did not have to work in their protective clothing during the hottest part of the day.
And schools closed for two and a half days as temperatures peaked and many pupils took advantage of relaxed uniform rules to wear their lighter PE kits.
Councillor Hill’s notice of motion said: “Our housing, schools, care homes and other indoor spaces are maladapted to support vulnerable people in extreme heat.
“Many outdoor areas lack sufficient shade and water fountains.
“Extreme heat was a barrier for some people being able to vote in the Goldsmid by-election (Thursday 25 June) and is an increased risk to the democratic process.”
The council’s cabinet is asked to consider installing cooling units, such as air conditioning or air source heat pumps, in care homes and schools, powered by solar panels.
The motion is due to be debated at Hove Town Hall on Thursday (23 July). The meeting is scheduled start at 2pm and to be webcast.
It is a good motion. I don’t have confidence that businesses, schools, or other places of work would be able to ensure safe practices in regards to heat. I think legalisation is the best way to ensure that people are kept safe in the ever increasing heatwaves.
I’m pretty sure legislation is in place for too hot or too cold work places, varies between cooling systems throught to winter clothing all supplied by employers, obviously HSE has guidelines for this and in other areas like Construction the only question is usually who pays for the extra equipment if self employed or company or council employees. Office employees have the same rights as others, just needs the “right” safety officer to take care of these issues when needed, most of this should be in pay and conditions of employment but health and safety is not negotiable.
Surprisingly, there’s a lot of places that don’t have proper regulation in place regarding temperature. Pharmacy for example, doesn’t have one, outside of wholesaling requirements and specific medicine storage requirements.
I think broadly, it’s too vague, and a clarification and tightening on the regulations, or creation is some instances, can only be a good thing.
What do you think?
I think the work envireonment gets ignored due to lack of awareness, outside of construction safety officers are not really aware of compliance and what help is available to “enforce” it. I’ve been on courses where safety in certain areas is a token or ticket appearance with very little function, shows in particular by the “type” of people on some of the courses, awareness is the key, mainly workers are not company or council property and are an assett that needs to be looked after, ask any council who their safety officer is, or any of the employees working for the council, do they know ??? He/she is the contact, too hot, too cold, and anything inbetween. Awareness, who and how safety is applied in their workplace.
Absolutely, certainly agree that knowledge of employee rights is often limited amongst the workforce. Supported several people throughout the years to exercise their rights. Can be quite empowering for them.
Pathetic
Sadly companies are so concerend about KPIs and profit that they wouldn’t use common sense.
Productivity does go up with people working in the office. Maybe this is the perfect excuse to get people away from the desk at home and into an air-conditioned office.
Most data actually says that working from home is much more productive, that people have better quality of life, and that companies make more revenue with remote working.
In France and other hot Countries a lot of homes have shutters with most modern homes having the shutters pre installed with the windows. They also open inwards so that they can be cleaned from the inside. Why is it that it always Public Services that want to stop work at the drop of a hat? By the way it is a Generation away from when Temperatures COULD reach 45 so perhaps Angie might want to start introducing shutters into Her 1.5m homes especially now She is back in The Cabinet.
Window shutters are probably a good way forward for a lot of people. If we follow trends, it’s been getting hotter year on year, so there’s a bit more certainty then “could”. The specific number is irrelevant.