Rowen Speaks Out on Maximum Workplace Temperatures
Added 26/02/2010Paul Rowen, Lib Dem Health and Safety spokesperson, has highlighted concerns over high workplace temperature. The Rochdale MP emphasised the costs of high workplace temperatures on health and productivity during a Westminster Hall Debate this morning, and argued that more needs to be done to improve the situation.
A minimum temperature law already exists but employers are only obligated to keep workplaces to a ‘reasonable’ temperature, meaning many employees are forced to work under sweltering conditions that can prove damaging to their health. High temperatures at work led to 53 accidents at work in the seven years preceding 2009, one of which proved fatal. Mr Rowen backed a call for a maximum workplace temperature to be introduced, in line with the existing minimum temperature level.
Employees may feel a number of symptoms due to working in temperatures which are too warm, including dehydration or exhaustion. During the summer in particular, there can be a real danger of collapsing at work due to heat exhaustion. The Bakers Food and Allied Workers Union have been campaigning for a maximum workplace temperature to be introduced, and have highlighted the dangers to people working in high heat.
It is important for employers to try to ensure reasonable workplace temperatures; not only because of their legal duty to do so but also because productivity may fall and sickness absence may increase due to working in hot conditions.
Paul Rowen MP said: “Employers, in line with their legal duty of care, need to ensure that they provide safe working conditions for employees, irrespective of whether duties require staff to work inside or outdoors.
It is vital that people in the workplace are able to work in a comfortable and safe environment. I welcome the introduction of measures that protect workers from unbearable or unsafe temperatures at work.”