UK sites told to monitor temperature control

Uncool working practices on UK sites will have to change this summer under proposals on temperature control set out by the Trades Union Congress (TUC).

According to the union, contractors should be more aware of the dangers of heat exhaustion on sites and has called for a legal maximum temperature of 27° for all of construction's workforce.

Currently there is a legal minimum temperature at 16° but no maximum for workers - this too often leads to more accidents on site from heat fatigue, dizziness, fainting and cramps.

Hot air has also been attributed to promoting asthma attacks and rhinitis, while current heatwaves are resulting in an increased loss of concentration and violence among the workforce.

Under the proposals, being put forward to all unions and the Health & Safety Executive, contractors not up to scratch with such procedures will have to adopt adequate breaks and job rotation.

While waiting for legal movement, the union has called on site managers to agree with safety and union officials to take voluntary steps and monitor temperatures on site.

Bob Blackman, TGWU national secretary, said: "This industry is notoriously poor for taking these procedures on board. We have already seen calls to reduce direct sunlight in fear of skin cancer. Now we need to adopt the examples of Denmark where large sections of work, especially in refurbishment contracts, are cordoned off and ventilation and chilled drink water is constantly supplied."

TUC general secretary John Monks added: "It is farcical that we have a legal minimum but no legal maximum for workplace temperatures. Our workers are not protected from sweatshop conditions."