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CALLS
FOR MAXIMUM OFFICE TEMPERATURE HEATS UP Research has found that 53 per cent of HR staff questioned believe that employers do not do enough to make workers at ease during sweltering summer temperatures. Currently, there is no maximum temperature limit for firms to obey, although there is a legal minimum which businesses must adhere to. The Trades Union Congress (TUC) led calls for a maximum limit to be introduced as temperatures soared above 30 degrees Celsius recently. It is claimed that employers who ignore the effects of hot weather, risk lower productivity, an increase in the number of accidents caused by tiredness and widespread absence due to heat stroke. Heat illness can occur at temperatures above 27 degrees Celsius, which can manifest as complaints ranging from heat rash and exhaustion to heat stroke, which can be very serious. While employers can't control the temperature for outdoor workers, they can provide cooler rest areas and offer more frequent breaks. In offices where air conditioning is not provided, employers could relax the dress code. A hot and sticky office leads to lethargy and productivity can decrease dramatically. The TUC is calling for a maximum working temperature of 30 degrees Celsius, or 27degrees Celsius for those doing strenuous work as well as the adoption of measures such as job rotation, increased breaks or the installation of air conditioning. In addition to being downright unpleasant, TUC correctly point out the adverse effect an excessively hot workplace can have on persons with existing health conditions and the possibility that job performance may degrade to a level at which accident frequency may rise. QUESTION
OF THE DAY: Manual handling can include lifting, lowering, holding pushing, pulling, carrying, moving or throwing of an object. |
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NEW
ACCIDENT BOOK TO BE INTRODUCED The new book will help organisations to comply with Data Protection legislation. The new publication, the HSE Accident Book (BI510), has been revised as most existing accident books allow personal details and information to be seen by anyone reading or making an entry in the book. The previous version, does not comply with the Data Protection Act 1998 (DPA). In revising the Accident Book, responsibility for production has passed to HSE. The Information Commissioner, whose role is to enforce the DPA, has ruled that a seven-month lead-time may be given but that businesses must change their accident book to comply with the DPA by 31 December 2003. The new design allows for accidents to be recorded, while details of individual(s) can be stored separately in a secure location. In addition to recording incidents, the new book also contains useful information on first aid and how to manage health and safety information to help prevent accidents from happening in the first place. WINTER
& COMPANY HEALTH & SAFETY TRAINING COURSES
For your convenience all training sessions are delivered at client's on-site locations. Training fees start from as little as £47 per person (conditions may apply). For further information or to book a training course, email us at training@health-safety.net or call Eve Horgan Free on 0800 169 1554 For information on health & safety matters in your office, including “questions & answers”, see our web site at www.health-safety.net. |